小(xiao)喬木,高達2.5-5米(mi)(mi)(mi),樹枝直(zhi)立性強;小(xiao)枝細弱圓(yuan)柱(zhu)(zhu)形(xing)(xing)(xing),嫩(nen)(nen)時(shi)(shi)被(bei)短(duan)(duan)柔(rou)(rou)(rou)毛(mao),老(lao)(lao)時(shi)(shi)脫落(luo),紫紅色(se)或暗(an)褐色(se),具稀疏(shu)皮孔;冬芽卵(luan)形(xing)(xing)(xing),先(xian)端急尖(jian),無毛(mao)或僅(jin)邊(bian)緣(yuan)(yuan)有(you)(you)(you)絨(rong)毛(mao),暗(an)紫色(se)。葉片長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)橢(tuo)圓(yuan)形(xing)(xing)(xing)或橢(tuo)圓(yuan)形(xing)(xing)(xing),長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)5-10厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),寬2.5-5厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),先(xian)端急尖(jian)或漸(jian)尖(jian),基(ji)部(bu)楔形(xing)(xing)(xing)稀近(jin)圓(yuan)形(xing)(xing)(xing),邊(bian)緣(yuan)(yuan)有(you)(you)(you)尖(jian)銳(rui)鋸齒,嫩(nen)(nen)葉被(bei)短(duan)(duan)柔(rou)(rou)(rou)毛(mao),下面(mian)較密,老(lao)(lao)時(shi)(shi)脫落(luo);葉柄長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)2-3.5厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi);托葉膜(mo)質(zhi),線(xian)狀(zhuang)披針形(xing)(xing)(xing),先(xian)端漸(jian)尖(jian),邊(bian)緣(yuan)(yuan)有(you)(you)(you)疏(shu)生(sheng)腺齒,近(jin)于(yu)無毛(mao),早落(luo)。傘(san)形(xing)(xing)(xing)總(zong)狀(zhuang)花(hua)(hua)(hua)序,有(you)(you)(you)花(hua)(hua)(hua)4-7朵,集生(sheng)于(yu)小(xiao)枝頂端,花(hua)(hua)(hua)梗長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)2-3厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),嫩(nen)(nen)時(shi)(shi)被(bei)長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)柔(rou)(rou)(rou)毛(mao),逐漸(jian)脫落(luo);苞片膜(mo)質(zhi),線(xian)狀(zhuang)披針形(xing)(xing)(xing),早落(luo);花(hua)(hua)(hua)直(zhi)徑(jing)約(yue)4厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi);萼筒(tong)外(wai)面(mian)密被(bei)白色(se)長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)絨(rong)毛(mao);萼片三(san)角卵(luan)形(xing)(xing)(xing),三(san)角披針形(xing)(xing)(xing)至長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)卵(luan)形(xing)(xing)(xing),先(xian)端急尖(jian)或漸(jian)尖(jian),全緣(yuan)(yuan),長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)5-8毫(hao)米(mi)(mi)(mi),內面(mian)被(bei)白色(se)絨(rong)毛(mao),外(wai)面(mian)較稀疏(shu),萼片與(yu)萼筒(tong)等長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)或稍長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang);花(hua)(hua)(hua)瓣近(jin)圓(yuan)形(xing)(xing)(xing)或長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)橢(tuo)圓(yuan)形(xing)(xing)(xing),長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)約(yue)1.5厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),基(ji)部(bu)有(you)(you)(you)短(duan)(duan)爪,粉紅色(se);雄蕊約(yue)20,花(hua)(hua)(hua)絲(si)長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)短(duan)(duan)不等,比花(hua)(hua)(hua)瓣稍短(duan)(duan);花(hua)(hua)(hua)柱(zhu)(zhu)5,基(ji)部(bu)具絨(rong)毛(mao),約(yue)與(yu)雄蕊等長(chang)(chang)(chang)(chang)。果(guo)實近(jin)球形(xing)(xing)(xing),直(zhi)徑(jing)1-1.5厘(li)米(mi)(mi)(mi),紅色(se),萼洼(wa)梗洼(wa)均下陷,萼片多數(shu)脫落(luo),少數(shu)宿存(cun)。花(hua)(hua)(hua)期4-5月,果(guo)期8-9月。
喜(xi)光,耐寒(han),忌水澇,忌空氣過濕(shi),較耐干旱。
產(chan)遼寧、河北、山(shan)西、山(shan)東、陜西、甘(gan)肅、云南。海拔(ba)100-2400米。
海(hai)棠通常以嫁(jia)接(jie)或分株繁殖,亦可(ke)用(yong)播(bo)種、壓(ya)條及根(gen)插(cha)等(deng)方(fang)法繁殖。用(yong)嫁(jia)接(jie)所(suo)得(de)苗(miao)木,開(kai)花可(ke)以提早,而且能保(bao)持原有優良特(te)性。
實生(sheng)(sheng)苗(miao)雖生(sheng)(sheng)長較慢,但常(chang)產生(sheng)(sheng)變異,故(gu)為獲得大量砧木或(huo)雜交育種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)時,仍采用播種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)法。中國(guo)北方常(chang)用的(de)砧木種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)類有(you)山定子(zi)(zi)、西府(fu)海棠(tang)、裂葉海棠(tang)果(guo)等;南方則用湖北海棠(tang)。海棠(tang)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)(zi)在(zai)播種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)前,必須經過30天~100天低溫層(ceng)積(ji)處理。充分(fen)層(ceng)積(ji)的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)(zi),出(chu)苗(miao)快、整齊(qi),而(er)且出(chu)苗(miao)率高;不層(ceng)積(ji)的(de)種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)(zi)不能(neng)發(fa)芽(ya),或(huo)極少發(fa)芽(ya)。也可(ke)在(zai)秋(qiu)季采果(guo)、去肉(rou)、稍晾后即播種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)在(zai)沙床(chuang)上(shang),讓種(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)子(zi)(zi)自然(ran)后熟。覆(fu)(fu)土深(shen)度(du)約1厘(li)米,上(shang)覆(fu)(fu)塑料(liao)膜(mo)保墑(di),出(chu)苗(miao)后掀(xian)去塑料(liao)膜(mo),及時撒施一層(ceng)疏松肥土,苗(miao)期加(jia)強肥水(shui)管理,當年晚秋(qiu)便(bian)可(ke)移栽。
以(yi)播種(zhong)繁殖的(de)實生苗(miao)為砧木,進行枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)或(huo)芽(ya)(ya)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)。進行枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)或(huo)芽(ya)(ya)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)。春季(ji)樹液流動發(fa)芽(ya)(ya)進行枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie),秋季(ji)(7月~9月間)可(ke)以(yi)芽(ya)(ya)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)。枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)可(ke)用(yong)(yong)切接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)、劈(pi)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)等(deng)法。接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)穗選取發(fa)育充實的(de)1年生枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)條,取其中(zhong)段(有2個以(yi)上(shang)飽滿的(de)芽(ya)(ya)),接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)后上(shang)細土(tu)蓋(gai)住接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)穗,芽(ya)(ya)接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)多(duo)用(yong)(yong)“T”字接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)法,接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)后10天左右,凡芽(ya)(ya)新鮮,葉(xie)柄(bing)一角即(ji)落者為接(jie)(jie)(jie)(jie)活之證明,數日后即(ji)可(ke)去除扎(zha)縛物。當苗(miao)高80厘(li)米(mi)~100厘(li)米(mi)時,養成骨(gu)干(gan)枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi),嗣(si)后只修剪過密枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)、內向枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)、重疊(die)枝(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)、保持圓整樹冠。
為常見(jian)栽(zai)培(pei)的果(guo)樹(shu)及(ji)觀賞樹(shu)。樹(shu)姿直立(li),花朵密(mi)集。果(guo)味酸(suan)甜,可供鮮(xian)食及(ji)加工用(yong)。栽(zai)培(pei)品種很多,果(guo)實形狀、大小、顏色和成熟期均有差(cha)別,所以有熱花紅(hong)、冷花紅(hong)、鐵花紅(hong)、紫海棠、紅(hong)海棠、老(lao)海紅(hong)、八楞(leng)海棠等名稱。華北有些地區用(yong)作蘋果(guo)或花紅(hong)的砧木,生長良好,比山(shan)荊子抗旱力強。
西府海棠在海棠花(hua)類(lei)中樹(shu)態(tai)峭立,似亭亭少女。花(hua)紅,葉綠(lv),果(guo)美(mei),不論孤植(zhi)(zhi)、列植(zhi)(zhi)、叢(cong)(cong)植(zhi)(zhi)均極(ji)美(mei)觀。花(hua)色(se)艷麗,一(yi)般(ban)多(duo)栽培(pei)于庭園供(gong)綠(lv)化(hua)用。西府海棠在海棠花(hua)類(lei)中樹(shu)態(tai)峭立,似亭亭少女。花(hua)朵紅粉相間(jian),葉子嫩(nen)綠(lv)可(ke)愛(ai),果(guo)實鮮(xian)美(mei)誘人,不論孤植(zhi)(zhi)、列植(zhi)(zhi)、叢(cong)(cong)植(zhi)(zhi)均極(ji)為美(mei)觀。最宜植(zhi)(zhi)于水濱及小(xiao)庭一(yi)隅(yu)。
郭稹海棠詩(shi)中“朱欄明媚照黃塘,芳(fang)樹交(jiao)加枕短墻。”就是最生動形象的寫照。新式庭園中,以濃綠針葉樹為背景(jing),植(zhi)海棠于前列,則其色彩尤覺奪目,若(ruo)列植(zhi)為花籬,鮮(xian)花怒放,蔚為壯觀。
海(hai)棠花(hua)開嬌艷(yan)動人(ren),但(dan)一(yi)般的海(hai)棠花(hua)無香味,只(zhi)有西府海(hai)棠既香且(qie)艷(yan),是海(hai)棠中的上(shang)品。其花(hua)未(wei)開時(shi),花(hua)蕾(lei)紅(hong)艷(yan),似(si)胭(yan)脂點點,開后(hou)則漸變(bian)粉紅(hong),有如曉天(tian)明霞(xia)。
北京(jing)故宮(gong)御花(hua)園(yuan)和(he)頤和(he)園(yuan)中(zhong)就植有西府海棠,每(mei)到春(chun)夏之交,迎風峭立,花(hua)姿明媚動人,楚(chu)楚(chu)有致,與玉蘭(lan)、牡(mu)丹、桂花(hua)相伴,形成“玉棠富貴”的之意。 ?
果實稱為海棠果,味形皆似山楂,酸甜可口,可鮮(xian)食(shi)或(huo)制(zhi)作蜜(mi)餞。
將青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)(guo)葉與車前草、海棠(tang)果(guo)(guo)一同煨服,有消炎(yan)(yan)、清涼(liang)、解毒作(zuo)(zuo)用(yong)(yong)。人畜誤食(shi)中(zhong)毒,用(yong)(yong)青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)(guo)葉搗碎擠出(chu)汁液服用(yong)(yong),可排毒解毒。青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)(guo)嫩葉作(zuo)(zuo)為(wei)蔬菜或腌制(zhi)成咸(xian)菜食(shi)用(yong)(yong),有開胃消食(shi)、清熱去(qu)火(huo)、抑制(zhi)口腔及(ji)腸道炎(yan)(yan)癥等較(jiao)好的治療作(zuo)(zuo)用(yong)(yong)。
用(yong)青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)果(guo)實、葉(xie)煮水洗腳,可預(yu)防和治(zhi)療(liao)腳氣(qi)病(bing)。青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)仁(ren)可用(yong)于(yu)榨(zha)油,經常食用(yong)青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)油,可降低血(xue)脂,調節血(xue)壓(ya),促進微循環(huan),增強機(ji)體的抵抗力(li),使人延年益(yi)壽。青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)油還廣泛用(yong)于(yu)治(zhi)療(liao)皮膚(fu)燒傷、皮膚(fu)潰爛等(deng)。對青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)油的脂肪酸(suan)組(zu)成分析較多(duo),而對青(qing)(qing)刺(ci)果(guo)仁(ren)、葉(xie)中的元素分析未見(jian)報(bao)道。