Linyi Hawthorn

Linyi Hawthorn

　　The Linyi region boasts abundant hawthorn resources, primarily produced in areas such as Pingyi, Feixian, Yishui, Yiyuan, Yinan, and Rizhao. Among these, Pingyi is a renowned hawthorn-producing area in Shandong Province. By 1985, Pingyi County had 110,300 mu of hawthorn orchards, with 5.44 million trees, yielding 6 million kilograms of hawthorn annually. Currently, the total hawthorn cultivation in the region has expanded to 470,000 mu, with an annual output of 10,725 tons, accounting for one-third of the province’s total hawthorn production. Major varieties include: Damianqiu, DJinxing, Xiaojinxing, Waibahong, Cao Hong, and Tangqiu. Among them, Damianqiu and Dajinxing are hailed as the “Yimeng Big Hawthorns.” These varieties have single fruits weighing between 12.5–14 grams, with red or light purple hues, a waxy sheen, fine and dense flesh, and superior quality. Their ripening period spans from mid-September to mid-October. In addition, newly discovered superior individual plants in the area include Mianhongzi, Dahongzi, Qingxianghongzi, and Cao Hongzi, which vary in fruit shape, color, and flavor. Among them, Suànpánzhū Hóngzǐ (Abacus Bead Red) is suitable for potted ornamental shaping; Huánghóngzǐ (Yellow Red) and Júhóngzǐ (Orange Red) are ideal for garden viewing; Biǎnhóngzǐ (Flat Red) has tough flesh and is good for canning; Qīngxiānghóngzǐ (Fragrant Green Red) is sweet with a tangy and refreshing aroma, making it suitable for fresh consumption; Mianhóngzǐ (Face Red) is early to market and has excellent flavor; Kǔrénzǐ (Bitter Kernel) has many seeds and tough flesh, making it suitable for medicinal use; Xuěhóngzǐ (Blood Red) and Máohóngzǐ (Hairy Red) are rare domestic varieties that are good for seed breeding and juice concentrate processing. According to analysis by food research departments, hawthorn from the Yimeng Mountain area is rich in nutrients, containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, hawthorn acid, citric acid, and vitamin C. Among these, it contains 85 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams of fruit, ranking first among all fruit types. Its vitamin C content is more than 17 times that of apples, earning it the title of “Northern Treasure.”

　　In Shanglongkou Village, Cujiayu Township, Yishui County, there is a century-old hawthorn tree standing 6.63 meters tall with a canopy covering 109 square meters. For several years, its yield has been around 400 kilograms, peaking at 585 kilograms in the highest-yielding year, earning it the title “King of Hawthorns.” Currently, in Pingyi County, there are 20 large hawthorn trees yielding over 500 kilograms per year; one tree in Taohuayu, over 100 years old, has reached a peak yield of 800 kilograms in a single year. Hawthorn thrives in the Yimeng Mountain area, with densely planted orchards yielding up to 3,345 kilograms per mu by the sixth year.

　　Pingyi is a renowned hawthorn-producing area in Shandong Province. By 1985, Pingyi County had 110,300 mu of hawthorn orchards, with 5.44 million trees, yielding 6 million kilograms of hawthorn annually.

　　Currently, the total hawthorn cultivation in the region has developed

　　to 470,000 mu, with an annual output of 10,725 tons, accounting for one-third of the province’s total hawthorn production. Major varieties include: Damianqiu, Dajinxing, Xiaojinxing, Waibahong, Cao Hong, and Tangqiu. Among them, Damianqiu and Dajinxing are hailed as the “Yimeng Big Hawthorns.” These varieties have single fruits weighing between 12.5–14 grams, with red or light purple hues, a waxy sheen, fine and dense flesh, and superior quality. Their ripening period spans from mid-September to mid-October. In addition, newly discovered superior individual plants in the area include Mianhongzi, Dahongzi, Qingxianghongzi, and Cao Hongzi, which vary in fruit shape, color, and flavor.

　　Among them, Suànpánzhū Hóngzǐ (Abacus Bead Red) is suitable for potted ornamental shaping; Huánghóngzǐ (Yellow Red) and Júhóngzǐ (Orange Red) are ideal for garden viewing; Biǎnhóngzǐ (Flat Red) has tough flesh and is good for canning; Qīngxiānghóngzǐ (Fragrant Green Red) is sweet with a tangy and refreshing aroma, making it suitable for fresh consumption; Mianhóngzǐ (Face Red) is early to market and has excellent flavor; Kǔrénzǐ (Bitter Kernel) has many seeds and tough flesh, making it suitable for medicinal use; Xuěhóngzǐ (Blood Red) and Máohóngzǐ (Hairy Red) are rare domestic varieties that are good for seed breeding and juice concentrate processing. According to analysis by food research departments, hawthorn from the Yimeng Mountain area is rich in nutrients, containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, hawthorn acid, citric acid, and vitamin C.

　　Among these, it contains 85 milligrams of calcium per 100 grams of fruit, ranking first among all fruit types. Its vitamin C content is more than 17 times that of apples, earning it the title of “Northern Treasure.”

　　In Shanglongkou Village, Cujiayu Township, Yishui County, there is a century-old hawthorn tree standing 6.63 meters tall with a canopy covering 109 square meters. For several years, its yield has been around 400 kilograms, peaking at 585 kilograms in the highest-yielding year, earning it the title “King of Hawthorns.” Currently, in Pingyi County, there are 20 large hawthorn trees yielding over 500 kilograms per year; one tree in Taohuayu, over 100 years old, has reached a peak yield of 800 kilograms in a single year. Hawthorn thrives in the Yimeng Mountain area, with densely planted orchards yielding up to 3,345 kilograms per mu by the sixth year.