Soapberry Tree Adorns Itself in Gold for a Beautiful Scene in Early Winter
2024-01-03 10:58
In early winter, the soapberry trees in Chongming Island enters its peak viewing period. In the leisurely forest area of "Zhongzhong Pianlin" located in Miaozhen Town, the soapberry trees exude a wintery atmosphere, with its golden leaves dancing gracefully, painting a picturesque scene. The soapberry tree, tall and deciduous, changes its color relatively late compared with other colorful tree species. Typically, it doesn't don its full golden attire until around the time of the Major Snow solar term, hence its nickname, the Golden Tree.
Although the soapberry tree bears small fruits, they have significant uses. In ancient societies without soap and laundry detergent, their fruits served as a natural cleaning agent. Moreover, it is a medicinal herb as well. The "Compendium of Materia Medica" from the Ming Dynasty records its effectiveness in "improving eyesight" and "eliminating bad breath." However, it is essential to note that despite its many benefits, its fresh fruits should not be consumed directly.
"Zhongzhong Pianlin" is one of the fifteen major forest areas in Shanghai, with its core located in Dongcun Village of Miaozhen Town. The area boasts a rich variety of vegetation. Bathed in the warm winter sun, it's worth paying a visit here to witness the enchanting golden spectacle of the soapberry trees.