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Summary
Elaeagnus species,
The family Elaeagnaceae contains several edible genera, including Silverberry (Elaeagnus), Buckthorn (Hippophae) and Buffaloberry (Shepherdia). All the species are nitrogen fixers, having a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, making them excellent companion plants. Growing with fruit trees can increase yields by up to 10% (especially with plums and nuts, which respond more to nitrogenous fertilisation). The fruit of many family members is a rich source of vitamins and minerals (especially vitamins A, C and E), flavonoids and other bioactive compounds. It is also a good source of essential fatty acids, which is unusual for a fruit.
Elaeagnus are deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, often silvery-scaled leaves and small fragrant tubular flowers followed by small juicy fruit edible in many species. They usually require some shade. Evergreen species are early fruiting plants, with fruit ripening over 6-8 weeks in early to late spring. Eat the fruit raw or cooked in soups, jellies or sherbets. The deciduous species fruit during the summer and need a sunny position.
Russian Olive (E. angustifolia) has a native range from E. Europe to Temp. Asia. It is highly adaptable to arid and semi-arid climates, is drought-tolerant and thrives in poor, well-drained soils. It is used for erosion control, windbreaks, and as a hardy ornamental tree. The fruit is eaten raw or cooked and is used as a seasoning in soups. It has a dry, sweet, and mealy texture. The fruit can also be made into jellies or sherbets. It must be fully ripe before eating raw, as it can be quite astringent if under-ripe. The oval-shaped fruit is about 10mm long and contains a single large seed, which can also be eaten, although the seed case is fibrous. Silverthorn (E. pungens) fruit is the size of a large blackcurrant with a large seed with a nice sub-acid flavour when fully ripe but astringent if eaten before and often used as a hedge or windbreak. Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Rounded, Spreading or horizontal.
Physical Characteristics
Elaeagnus pungens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from November to February, and the seeds ripen from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Seed
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 177]. About the size of a large blackcurrant, though the seed is also quite large[K]. A nice sub-acid flavour when fully ripe but astringent if eaten before then[K]. Can be made into preserves, drinks etc[183]. The oval fruit is about 15mm long[200]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be eaten with the fruit though the seed case is rather fibrous[K]. A taste vaguely reminiscent of peanuts[K]. The seed contains 42.2% protein and 23.1% fat on a zero moisture basis[218].
References More on Edible Uses
| Composition
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| Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
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Seed (Dry weight)
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- 0 Calories per 100g
- Water : 0%
- Protein: 42.2g; Fat: 23.1g; Carbohydrate: 0g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 0g;
- Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
- Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
- Reference: [ 218]
- Notes:
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Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiasthmatic Antitussive Astringent Cancer
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[214]. The leaves and the stems are concocted and used in the treatment of asthma, cough, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids etc[147, 218]. The seed is used to treat watery diarrhoea[218]. The root is astringent and is applied to sores, itchy skin etc[147, 218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Hedge Hedge
Agroforestry uses: Elaeagnus species can be used as a hedge or windbreak due to their dense growth and thorny branches. They also improve soil fertility as nitrogen-fixing plants, making them beneficial in agroforestry systems. Their fruits provide food for wildlife and can be harvested for human consumption.
Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions, tolerating maritime exposure[75]. Succeeds when planted under trees that have become bare at the base, in time it will scramble up into the tree and fill out the bottom[75]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Elaeagnus species, especially autumn olive and silverberry, have flowers that produce nectar and attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes, the fruit of Elaeagnus species is highly favoured by birds and small mammals. The dense branches provide excellent shelter, nesting, and roosting spots for birds.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The leaf litter and dense growth offer overwintering sites and protection for invertebrates. The shrub provides good ground cover, beneficial for many small creatures.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Elaeagnus does not emit a strong enough smell to act as a pest confuser.
Special Uses
Food Forest Hedge Hedge Nitrogen Fixer Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses: Cascades, Erosion control, Hedge, Screen, Seashore. Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[11, 200]. Dislikes very alkaline soils[202]. Prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in poor soils and in dry soils[[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Very drought and shade resistant[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[75]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[200]. The foliage can be damaged in severe wind-chill conditions[202]. This is a potentially valuable fruit crop, fruiting as it does in April and May[K]. There are a number of named varieties[200, 202] and so there is plenty of scope for improving size and quality of fruit by selective breeding. Most cultivars are variegated and therefore slower-growing than the species[K]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200]. The small flowers have a sweet but pungent aroma. They pervade the garden for some distance on sunny days[245]. Closely related to E. glabra[11]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 7. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.). Fruits from Elaeagnus species are usually harvested in late summer to early autumn, depending on the species and local climate.
Elaeagnus species generally flower in late spring to early summer depending on the specific species and environmental conditions. Many Elaeagnus species are self-fertile, meaning they can produce fruit without needing another plant for cross-pollination. Elaeagnus species are relatively fast-growing shrubs or small trees, typically reaching maturity in 3 to 5 years. They can grow to heights of 1 to 5 meters (3 to 16 feet) depending on the species and growing conditions.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78]. It should germinate freely within 4 weeks, though it may take 18 months[K]. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking more than 18 months. A warm stratification for 4 weeks followed by 12 weeks cold stratification can help[98]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well[78]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pot as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when they are at least 15cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[78]. It is best to take the cuttings in June[202]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, November in a frame. Leave for 12 months. Fair to good percentage[78]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Nawashiro-gumi,
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Honshu, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Japan, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Kyushu, Shikoku, Zhejiang Sheng,China.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
11200266
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