

Yangmei fruit
Scientific name - Myrica rubra
Myrica rubra commonly known as Yangmei is also identified by several other regional names like Chinese bayberry, Japanese bayberry, Red bayberry, Waxberry and Yumberry; this tree is mainly grown for its sweet, crimson to dark purple-red edible fruit. It is a subtropical, small to medium sized tree that grows up to 10–20 m (33–66 ft) high. Having a very smooth bark that is gray in color, it has an identical spherical to hemispherical crown. With separate male and female plants, it comes under the category of dioecious. Tolerating poor acidic soils, with no apparent taproot, the root system is 5–60 cm (2.0–23.6 in) deep.
Fruit:
With a crooked surface, the fruit is spherical and it is 1.5–2.5 cm (0.59–0.98 in) in diameter. With regards to color, it is typically a deep, brilliant red, but may be different from white to purple. At the core is a single seed, with a diameter about half that of the whole fruit. With the flesh having the similar color to surface or somewhat lighter, they are sweet and very tart to taste.

Nutritional Value of Yangmei fruit
Moisture (g) | 89.08 |
Vitamin A(µg) | 7 |
Protein (g) | 0.72 |
Vitamin B1 (mg) | 0.01 |
Fat (g) | 0.31 |
Vitamin B2 (mg) | 0.05 |
Total carbohydrate (g) | 6.80 |
Vitamin B6 (mg) | 0.05 |
Reduced sugar (g) | 2.78 |
Vitamin E (mg) | 0.81 |
Total acid (g) | 2.15 |
Vitamin C (mg) | 9 |
Calcium (mg) | 14 |
Biotin(µg) | 19 |
Phosphor (mg) | 8 |
Carotin(mg) | 0.04 |
Iron (mg) | 1 |
Folacin(µg) | 26 |
Potassium(mg) | 149 |
Pantothenic acid(mg) | 0.3 |
Sodium(mg) | 0.7 |
Nicotinic acid(mg) | 0.3 |
Copper(mg) | 0.02 |
Thiamine(µg) | 10 |
Magnesium(mg) | 10 |
Lactoflavin(µg) | 50 |
Zinc(µg) | 0.14 |
Dietary fiber (g) | 1 |
Selenium(µg) | 0.31 |

Health benefits of Yangmei fruit
Myrica rubra has been used by Chinese health practitioners for centuries to treat several ailments of the body. Following are some of the health benefits:
Protects your heart health
Good for eyesight and reduces cataracts risk
Reduces your blood pressure LDL- lower bad cholesterol
Fights inflammation
Fortifies your cell membranes
Cleanses stomach and intestines
Quenches thirst and effective to cure diarrhea
Boosts the immune system
The benefits of Yumberry is not confined to the above said things, but it also help strengthens the elasticity of blood vessels while slowing down the collapse of collagen which in turn helps in keeping your skin smooth, firm and wrinkle-free. With all that said, the leaves, bark together with the fruit has been used as an astringent, antidote and anti-diarrhetic in traditional Chinese medication.

The Yumberry thrives in moist soil and prefers an open position either in sun or light shade. It also grows well in ordinary garden soil like lime-free loamy or peaty soil. With very less tolerance capacity to frosts, plants in this species are particularly resistant to honey fungus and have a symbiotic relationship with some soil micro-organisms. The area in which the tree is cultivated has been extended considerably because of the delicious fruit it bears out together with the health benefits exercised. As a matter of fact, they are produced more in china and also introduced in Australia.

The seeds are best sown in a cold frame, as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. It is highly recommended to cover the seeds barely and keep it moist. Given a three month cold stratification, stored seed germinates more freely, when they are large enough to handle, it is good to prick out the seedlings into separate pots and grow on in the cold frame for the first winter. Having said that, to plant out in late spring or early summer is a good idea as well.




