Yangmei
In the subtropical realm of fruits, the Chinese Bayberry (Myrica rubra), commonly known as yangmei (杨梅) in Chinese, stands as a hidden gem. This lesser-known fruit tree possesses a captivating combination of sweet and tart flavors, making it a delightful treat to savor. As a garden addition, it adds a splash of color and flavor to any outdoor space.
Immature Yangmei Fruit. It will take roughly one month from this stage for these to be ready to harvest. When ready, their color will shift from green to bright red or a deep, dark purple hue.
Origins
The Chinese bayberry traces its roots to the warm and humid regions of East Asia, primarily in south-central China. Provinces like Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Zhejiang are known for their cultivation. It's also found in Japan and Korea. Its natural adaptability to tropical and subtropical climates makes it a welcome addition to gardens in warmer regions. Withstanding slightly cooler temperatures (USDA hardiness zone 7 and up), in more temperate areas, it can potentially be cultivated in protected locations, but fruiting may not occur in such environments.
My own interest in the yangmei stems from my time living in China. Each year, I eagerly anticipated yangmei season in June when the streets would fill with vendors selling these vibrant fruits. In addition to sampling wild varieties grown in many provinces renowned for their yangmei production mentioned earlier, I have also had the pleasure of tasting a wide range of elite yangmei varieties. Their unique sweet-tart flavor became a summertime favorite, right up there with the highly esteemed lychee.
Growth Habits and Strategies
Yangmei trees possess a modest size, typically growing between 20 to 60 feet tall with a broad, rounded canopy offering generous shade. They favor well-drained soils and thrive in full sun. Established yangmei trees, much like other fruit trees, benefit from regular watering but exhibit noteworthy drought tolerance as they mature. To optimize the tree's performance in heavy winds, it is advisable to keep it at a low height and prevent the canopy from becoming too dense. This is because the tree's shallow root system lacks a pronounced tap root, making it susceptible to toppling in strong winds. To maintain a compact shape and encourage fruiting, pruning is advisable after the summer harvest.
With proper training, yangmei trees can develop multiple trunks from a young age.
Design Considerations
The yangmei brings both visual appeal and a host of ecological benefits to the garden or homestead. Its attractive evergreen foliage and vibrantly colored fruit add a unique touch to any landscape. In a forest garden context, yangmei would be considered a canopy layer tree. It has little need for cold protection or much in support plants, similar to a loquat. Although the yangmei does not belong to the legume family, it has the unique ability to fix nitrogen through an association with Frankia bacteria. This makes it a valuable addition to a permaculture homestead.
Most yangmei trees are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female trees. On the other hand, some trees are monecious, possessing both male and female flowers on the same tree. It would appear some elite varieties were originally selected not only for their fruit quality, production, and disease resistance, but also for monecious traits, as I have confirmed with several growers in China that varieties such as Dogkui and Biqi produce both male and female flowers on the same tree. This means pairing male and female trees to achieve fruiting doesn't appear to be an issue for those grafted varieties.. This aspect of yangmei does require further investigation.
Yangmei Grove at the Chenzhou Nanling Botanical Garden in Hunan, China.
Propagation
Gardeners can propagate yangmei either from seed, cuttings or grafting. Seeds germinate readily, although some may benefit from a period of cold stratification in the fridge to break dormancy. Cuttings, best taken in spring or early summer, root easily in a warm and humid environment. The southern wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), exhibits potential as a suitable rootstock for grafting. A micropropagation method for yangmei has been developed for commercial scale which involves preparing explants from healthy plants, inducing shoot tips and nodal explants on an nutrient-infused agar solution, inducing roots in IBA-containing medium, and acclimatizing rooted plants in a perlite and sand mixture. (Asghari et al., 2013).
Culinary Suggestions
The yangmei's distinctive allure is rooted in its exceptional fruit, botanically classified as a drupe. These ruby-red, deep purple, or white fruits boast an alluringly sweet and tangy flavor, making them a refreshing treat during warm summer days. Before eating, chilling them in the refrigerator enhances their captivatingly sweet and tangy flavor. The Yangmei flavor is akin to a unique blend of mulberry, citrus, and pomegranate, with a texture distinct from other fruit. Their versatility in the kitchen sets them apart. Enjoyed fresh, they're a delightful snack. Yangmei fruits are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, with a rich history of culinary uses spanning centuries in China. These diverse applications include:
Jams and Jellies: Capture the summer flavor year-round.
Beverages: Juices, wines, and liqueurs gain an exotic twist.
Desserts: Ice cream, sorbets, and baked goods take on a tantalizing flavor profile.
Fresh yangmei at a fruit stand.
Medicinal and Nutritional information
While the yangmei offers delicious rewards, its uses extend beyond the kitchen. In traditional Chinese medicine, the yangmei tree's bark and various other parts have been harnessed for their potential health benefits. Notably, the bark has been utilized as an astringent, an antidote, and an anti diarrhea remedy in local applications (Yang et al., 2003).
The fruit itself is rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C, which play a role in immune support and may help protect cells from damage. Additionally, research suggests yangmei may have other interesting properties. One study indicates that yangmei extracts contain compounds with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-diabetic effects (Sun et al., 2013). Further studies are needed to fully understand these potential benefits.
A Curious Absence in Florida
It's very odd that such a cold-hardy tree with delicious fruit isn't readily available from nurseries in Florida. Renowned botanist and plant explorer, David Fairchild, was the first to introduce yangmei to Florida with a planting in Brooksville, documented with a photo for the Bulletin of Foreign Plant Introductions in 1918. No further information is available about the fate of those plants. It's interesting to imagine an alternative agricultural history in which the cultivation of yangmei flourished in Florida, transforming it into a prominent crop. Yangmei would have garnered extensive recognition and appreciation within the United States, becoming a widely known and cherished delicacy.
It would be quite some time since then that yangmei cultivation would be attempted again in Florida. According to the legendary Florida fruit grower, Crafton Cliff, there was an attempt to introduce yangmei to Florida with trail plantings both in Gainesville and TREC in Homestead by IFAS back in the mid 70’s but they both failed for unknown reasons. The failure could be attributed to several factors, including the different soil types in the regions of China where yangmei is grown. In China, yangmei is cultivated in clay-rich soils, while Florida has sandy soils. This difference makes the use of wax myrtle rootstock even more important for Florida, as wax myrtle is adapted to the sandy soil conditions found in the state.
Despite these mysterious failures in introducing yangmei to Florida, this resilient tree seems a natural fit for the state's warmer climate. Perhaps even more surprising is the fact that China has twice as much acreage dedicated to growing yangmei (823,500 acres) than the USA dedicates to its iconic apple crop! A company named Calmei has made a significant recent contribution to US agriculture by introducing the yangmei tree to California at scale, ensuring that this unique fruit is not entirely absent from the nation's agricultural landscape. In this video, Calmei's founder, Yunfei Chen, narrates his inspiring journey of introducing yangmei to the U.S. While this news is exciting for growers and yangmei enthusiasts in California, it's important to note that the fruit is not yet available in Florida. This lack of availability in Florida presents an intriguing opportunity for growers and homesteaders seeking unique and sustainable additions to their edible landscapes.
It's Time for Florida's Yangmei Moment
The yangmei is an exciting addition to any edible garden, especially in warmer zones. It is a tree that combines culinary delights with ecological benefits, showcasing the principles of sustainability. Whether grown as a specimen tree or integrated into an orchard or a forest garden, this unique plant is sure to make a lasting impression. Florida growers, take note! There's a clear opportunity to bring this valued and delicious fruit to the Sunshine State.
If you're on Facebook and you feel inspired to join Florida growers in introducing this amazing fruit to the state, consider joining this group.