Elaeagnus pungens
Elaeagnus

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked^[1]^[2]. About the size of a large blackcurrant, though the seed is also quite large[K]. A nice sub-acid flavour when fully ripe but astringent if eaten before then[K]. Can be made into preserves, drinks etc^[3]. The oval fruit is about 15mm long^[4]. Seed - raw or cooked. It can be eaten with the fruit though the seed case is rather fibrous[K]. A taste vaguely reminiscent of peanuts[K]. The seed contains 42.2% protein and 23.1% fat on a zero moisture basis^[5].

Fruit

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions, tolerating maritime exposure^[6]. Succeeds when planted under trees that have become bare at the base, in time it will scramble up into the tree and fill out the bottom^[6].

There are no material uses listed for Elaeagnus pungens.

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^[7].

The leaves and the stems are concocted and used in the treatment of asthma, cough, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids etc^[8]^[5]. The seed is used to treat watery diarrhoea^[5].

The root is astringent and is applied to sores, itchy skin etc^[8]^[5].

Unknown part

Antiasthmatic

Antitussive

Astringent

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^[9]. It should germinate freely within 4 weeks, 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^[10]. 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. Good percentage^[9]. It is best to take the cuttings in June^[11]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, November in a frame. Leave for 12 months. Fair to good percentage^[9].

Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months^[9].

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

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained^[12]^[4]. Dislikes very alkaline soils^[11]. Prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in poor soils and in dry soils[^[12]^[4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Very drought and shade resistant^[4]. Tolerates maritime exposure^[6].

Plants are hardy to about -15°c^[4]. The foliage can be damaged in severe wind-chill conditions^[11]. This is a potentially valuable fruit crop, fruiting as it does in April and May[K]. There are a number of named varieties^[4]^[11] and so there is plenty of scope for improving size and quality of fruit by selective breeding. Most cultivars are variegated and therefore slower-growing than the species[K]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus^[13]^[4]. The small flowers have a sweet but pungent aroma. They pervade the garden for some distance on sunny days^[14]. Closely related to E. glabra^[12].

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]. 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 pungens. 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 pungens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

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References

? ^1.0^1.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
? ^2.0^2.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
? ^3.0^3.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
? ^4.0^4.1^4.2^4.3^4.4^4.5^4.6^4.7^4.8^4.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
? ^5.0^5.1^5.2^5.3^5.4^5.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
? ^6.0^6.1^6.2^6.3 Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1984-00-00)
? ^7.0^7.1 Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1994-00-00)
? ^8.0^8.1^8.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
? ^9.0^9.1^9.2^9.3^9.4 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
? Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. ()
? ^11.0^11.1^11.2^11.3 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
? ^12.0^12.1^12.2^12.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
? RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)
? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

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