Description
An upright to spreading tree with semi-weeping branches bearing ovate to elliptic, glossy, spiny, shallowly toothed, mid- to dark green leaves turning yellow in autumn. Small fragrant, yellow-green flowers in late spring and early summer are followed by edible fruits that are fleshy and rather like small plums, roundish egg shaped, dark red to almost black when ripe.
The fruit is thought to have antioxidant properties and is anti allergic, ant inflammatory and antimicrobial and is used regularly in Chinese, Indian and Mediterranean medicine.