Practical
Plants

Hippophae rhamnoides turkestanica

Sea Buckthorn

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Hippophae genus in the family Elaeagnaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
6 m
Spread
2.5 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Some reports suggest that the fruit is poisonous[5][2], whilst it may be very acid it is most definitely not poisonous[23].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked. Very rich in vitamin C (120mg per 100g)[25] and vitamin A[10], but too acid when raw for most peoples tastes[3][8]. Used for making fruit juice, it is high in vitamins and has an attractive aroma[6]. It is being increasingly used in making fruit juices, especially when mixed with other fruits, because of its reputed health benefits[14]. The fruits of some species and cultivars (not specified) contain up to 9.2% oil[14]. The fruit is very freely borne along the stems[K] and is about 6 - 8mm in diameter[13]. The fruit becomes less acid after a frost or if cooked[25]. The fruit is ripe from late September and usually hangs on the plants all winter if not eaten by the birds. It is best used before any frosts since the taste and quality of frosted berries quickly deteriorates[14].

Plant part
Fruit

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 twigs and leaves contain 4 - 5% tannin[15]. They are astringent and vermifuge[24][2]. The tender branches and leaves contain bio-active substances which are used to produce an oil that is quite distinct from the oil produced from the fruit. This oil is used as an ointment for treating burns[14]. A high-quality medicinal oil is made from the fruit and used in the treatment of cardiac disorders, it is also said to be particularly effective when applied to the skin to heal burns, eczema and radiation injury, and is taken internally in the treatment of stomach and intestinal diseases[14]. The fruit is used as a tonic[28]. The freshly-pressed juice is used in the treatment of colds, febrile conditions, exhaustion etc[28]. The fruit 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[14].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Cardiac
Product or use
Poultice
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Very tolerant of maritime exposure[17][21][26][9], it can be used as a shelter hedge. It dislikes much trimming[26]. A very thorny plant, it quickly makes an impenetrable barrier. Sea buckthorn has an extensive root system and suckers vigorously and so has been used in soil conservation schemes, especially on sandy soils. The fibrous and suckering root system acts to bind the sand[12][16]. Because the plant grows quickly, even in very exposed conditions, and also adds nitrogen to the soil, it can be used as a pioneer species to help the re-establishment of woodland in difficult areas. Because the plant is very light-demanding it will eventually be out-competed by the woodland trees and so will not out-stay its welcome[K]. The seeds contain 12 - 13% of a slow-drying oil[15]. The vitamin-rich fruit juice is used cosmetically in face-masks etc[28]. A yellow dye is obtained from the fruit[25]. A yellow dye is obtained from the stems, root and foliage[19]. A blackish-brown dye is obtained from the young leaves and shoots[25]. Wood - tough, hard, very durable, fine-grained. Used for fine carpentry, turning etc[20][22][25]. The wood is also used for fuel and charcoal[7].

Product or use
Charcoal
Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
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 - sow spring in a sunny position in a cold frame[27]. Germination is usually quick and good although 3 months cold stratification may improve the germination rate. Alternatively the seed can be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring into their permanent positions. Male seedlings, in spring, have very prominent axillary buds whilst females are clear and smooth at this time[27]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, June/July in a frame[13]. Difficult[4]. This is the easiest method of vegetative propagation[14]. Cuttings of mature wood in autumn[13]. Difficult[4]. The cuttings should be taken at the end of autumn or very early in the spring before the buds burst. Store them in sand and peat until April, cut into 7 - 9cm lengths and plant them in a plastic tent with bottom heat[14]. Rooting should take place within 2 months and they can be put in their permanent positions in the autumn[14]. Division of suckers in the winter. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions and usually establish well and quickly[K]. Layering in autumn[13].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils[13], including poor ones[12], so long as they are not too dry[9][13]. Grows well by water and in fairly wet soils[9]. Established plants are very drought resistant[12]. Requires a sunny position[18], seedlings failing to grow in a shady position and mature shrubs quickly dying if overshadowed by taller plants[12]. Does well in very sandy soils[1][12]. Plants are very tolerant of maritime exposure[26], though they are fairly slow growing[26]. Although usually found near the coast in the wild, they thrive when grown inland[3] and are hardy to about -25°c[11]. A very ornamental plant[1][3], it is occasionally cultivated, especially in N. Europe, for its edible fruit[10]. Members of this genus are attracting considerable interest from breeding institutes for their nutrient-rich fruits that can promote the general health of the body (see edible and medicinal uses below)[14]. 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[4][12][13]. Plants produce abundant suckers, especially when grown on sandy soils[12]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The sexes of plants cannot be distinguished before flowering, but on flowering plants the buds of male plants in winter are conical and conspicuous whilst female buds are smaller and rounded[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[13].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218

    ↩1↩2

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  6. Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading 1986-00-00 ISBN 0704909820

    ↩

  7. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩

  8. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩

  9. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  11. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  12. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  13. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  14. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  15. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  16. Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30725-8

    ↩

  17. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

    ↩

  18. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  19. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  20. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  21. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

  22. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  23. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  24. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩

  25. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  26. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  27. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  28. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page