A small, droopy-branched, somewhat spiny deciduous tree first cultivated in China for its fruit more than 4,000 years ago. Glossy green finely-toothed leaves — each guarded by two sharp stipular spines — back round-to-elongate drupes that ripen from green through red. Eaten fresh the fruit is sweet and crisp like an apple; left to wrinkle and brown it takes on the look and taste of a date, hence its other name, Chinese date.

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