Elaeagnus orientalis
Trebizond Date
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
- 12 m
- Spread
- 6 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[8][2]. Sweet and mealy but of better quality than the closely related E. angustifolia[5]. Eaten fresh or made into sherbet and preserves. The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw, if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent[K]. The oval fruit is about 10mm long and 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.
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[7].
- Product or use
- Cancer
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.
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- W. Asia.
- Habitat
- By streams and on river banks, to elevations of 3000 metres in Turkey[11].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, 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[9]. 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[12]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well[9]. 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[6]. The cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, leave them for 12 months[4]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[3][6]. Prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in very poor soils and in dry soils[3][6]. Established plants are very drought resistant[1]. Prefers a light sandy loam and a sunny position[3][6]. Dislikes shallow chalk soils[12]. Very closely related to E. angustifolia and often considered to be no more than a sub-species of it[5], it does not flower so freely in Britain as that species[3]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[10][6]. 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[6]. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%. The flowers are very fragrant and are rich in nectar[5], they are much visited by bees. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[5]. The fruit used to be commonly sold in the markets of Iran and Turkey but is rarely found there nowadays[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
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
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
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
Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965-00-00
Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.