Elaeagnus argyi
H. Leveille
She shan yang nai zi
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) 零摄氏度可乐Sam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 零摄氏度可乐Sam
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) 零摄氏度可乐Sam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 零摄氏度可乐Sam
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) 零摄氏度可乐Sam, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by 零摄氏度可乐Sam
Description
A shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall. It may or may not lose its leaves depending on climate. It usually has spines. The young branches are bright green. They have yellowish-white scales. The leaf stalks are yellowish-brown and 5-7 mm long. The leaves have 2 forms depending on season. The leaves in spring are small and 1-4 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are thin and papery. The leaves in autumn are larger and broadly oval. They are 6-10 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. Underneath they are white with brown dots. The flowers are usually in groups of 5-7. They are near the base of new growing branches. The flowers are yellow and thick and have silvery and light yellow scales. The fruit are fleshy and red when ripe. The are oval and 1.5 cm long by 0.6 cm wide. They have silvery scales.
Edible Uses
The fleshy red fruit are eaten.
Distribution
A temperate plant. It grows in China between 100-300 m altitude in the eastern central provinces.
Where It Grows
Asia, China,
Production
In China plants flower in January to March and fruit April to May.
Other Information
It is a cultivated food plant.
Synonyms
References (1)
- Flora of China. Vol. 13, p 266 and Flora of China. www.eFloras.org
