Elaeagnus commutata
Silverberry
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Elaeagnus genus in the family Elaeagnaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Elaeagnaceae
- Genus
- Elaeagnus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 3 m
- Spread
- 1.5 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[1][8][14][15][2]. Dry and mealy[3][19][5][6]. Good when added to soups they also make an excellent jelly[6]. The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw, if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent[K]. The fruit contains a single large seed[K]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be eaten with the fruit though the seed case is rather fibrous[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A strong decoction of the bark, mixed with oil, has been used as a salve for children with frostbite[13]. A decoction of the roots, combined with sumac roots (Rhus spp.), has been used in the treatment of syphilis[13]. This medicine was considered to be very poisonous and, if you survived it, you were likely to become sterile[13]. 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[11].
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Salve
- Product or use
- VD
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions, tolerating maritime exposure. They have a rather open habit, however, and so do not afford a lot of wind protection. Because they fix atmospheric nitrogen, they enrich the soil and so make a very good companion hedge in orchards etc[K]. The fibrous bark is used in weaving, it has been twisted to make strong ropes and has also been used to make blankets and clothing[21][13]. Dried fruits are used as beads[21][13]. The berries have been used to make a soap[13].
- Product or use
- Beads
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Soap
Environment
- Range
- N. America - Quebec to Alaska and south to Utah, S. Dakota and Minnesota..
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 2+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[17]. It should germinate in late winter or early spring, 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[20]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well[17]. 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, October/November in a frame[9]. The cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, leave them for 12 months[4]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[17]. Division of suckers during the dormant season[14][3]. The larger suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is probably best to pot up smaller suckers and grow them on in a cold frame until they are established.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[9], though it dislikes shallow chalk soils[20]. This last report conflicts rather with the record of its natural habitat, it should grow well on chalk[K]. Prefers a light sandy soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in poor and dry soils[3][9]. Requires a position in full sun[3][9]. Plants are very drought and wind resistant[1][3][9]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[7]. However, plants prefer a continental climate and are liable to be cut back in severe winters in Britain mainly because the wood is not fully ripened in our cooler summers. A moderately fast-growing plant[10]. The small flowers are deliciously scented[12]. This species does not normally require pruning but the plant can regenerate from very old wood and so can be cut back severely if required[10]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[10]. 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[9]. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%. Often confused with E. angustifolia even though it is very distinct[16]. Plants produce suckers quite freely, often sending them up at some distance from the plant[182, K]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[18][9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00
Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7