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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2]. 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 is about 6 - 8mm long and contains a single large seed[275, K]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be eaten with the fruit though the seed case is rather fibrous.

Fruit

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions, tolerating maritime exposure.
There are no material uses listed for Elaeagnus fragrans.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[3].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge


Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4]. 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[5]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well[4]. 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[7].

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[4].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Elaeagnus fragrans. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know how hardy it will be in this country. It is closely related to E. umbellata and is considered to be no more than a subspecies of that plant by some botanists[8]. The following details are based on the general information for this genus.

Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[9][6]. Prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in poor soils and dry soils[9][6]. Requires a sunny position[9][6]. Tolerates maritime exposure[6]. 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%.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Elaeagnus fragrans. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Elaeagnus fragrans.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Elaeagnus fragrans
Genus
Elaeagnus
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
Mature Size
x meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type











References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1994-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  5. ? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  7. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 www.foj.info Flora of Japan ()
  9. ? 9.09.19.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  10. ? RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
  11. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)


Facts about "Elaeagnus fragrans"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyElaeagnaceae +
Belongs to genusElaeagnus +
Functions asHedge + and Nitrogen fixer +
Has binomial nameElaeagnus fragrans +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partFruit + and Seed +
Has edible useUnknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeBees +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useCancer +
Has search nameelaeagnus fragrans +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameElaeagnus fragrans +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Elaeagnus fragrans +, Elaeagnus fragrans + and Elaeagnus fragrans +