Elaeagnus orientalis
Trebizond Date

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked^[1]^[2]. Sweet and mealy but of better quality than the closely related E. angustifolia^[3]. 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].

Fruit

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions, tolerating maritime exposure.

There are no material uses listed for Elaeagnus orientalis.

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^[4].

Unknown part

Cancer

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^[5]. 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^[6]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well^[5]. 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^[7]. The cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, leave them for 12 months^[8].

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months^[5].

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

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained^[9]^[7]. Prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in very poor soils and in dry soils^[9]^[7]. Established plants are very drought resistant^[10]. Prefers a light sandy loam and a sunny position^[9]^[7]. Dislikes shallow chalk soils^[6].

Very closely related to E. angustifolia and often considered to be no more than a sub-species of it^[3], it does not flower so freely in Britain as that species^[9]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus^[11]^[7]. 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^[7]. 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^[3], they are much visited by bees.

Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties^[3]. The fruit used to be commonly sold in the markets of Iran and Turkey but is rarely found there nowadays^[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Elaeagnus orientalis. 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 orientalis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies