Elaeagnus conferta

Elaeagnus conferta is a Southeast Asian plant species in the fruiting oleaster genus Eleagnus. This species has been recorded from the Himalayas, China (Yunnan, Guangxi), Indochina and western Malesia: tropical and subtropical wet biomes.

Description

An evergreen thorny plant. It is a woody climber or shrub. It can be 12 m long. The roots are yellow. The branches arch over. The leaves are oblong and 3-6 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The leaves have coppery brown scales underneath. The leaves are shiny on the upper surface and grey underneath. The fruit are round and red when ripe. They are 1.5 cm across. The nut has ribs and is winged.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruits are eaten raw or used to make sweet drinks and pickles. The fruits are acidic and sour, and are sold in local markets.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for making sweet drinks. They are also used in making pickles. They are acidic and sour.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The fruit pulp, roots, and leaves are used medicinally. The fruits and flowers are used to treat sores and ulcers.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the Nilgiri Hills in southern India. It occurs in the Western Ghats in India. It grows in moist deciduous forests. It grows between 1,800-2,300 m above sea level. They grow in forests and on slopes. They are also cultivated. It has been recorded between 400-2,000 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan. In Yunnan in China it grows between 500-1500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown by seeds. It can also be grown from cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. It should germinate within a few weeks, though it may take 18 months. 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. (This information on stratification is probably not so appropriate to this species since it does not experience much frost in its native habitat). The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well. 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, in a frame. The cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, leave them for 12 months. Layering takes 12 months.

Other Uses

Plants are very tolerant of trimming and can be grown as a fairly large, dense hedge. The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses.

Production

In China plants flower in October and November and fruit February and March. Also in Nagaland.

Other Information

Fruit are sold in local markets.

Notes

There are 45 Elaeagnus species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ambgul, Areuj dudurenan, Bapulele, Durenan, Gaihein, Ghaiyeen, Ghayai, Gwai, Kakaduan, Katmunthiringa, Kolaga, Kolungai, Korangu palam, Koranga pazha, Kotarangjang, Kurangupalam, Luan, Malindo, Malot, Manunlang, Mu long ning biu, Muslerhi, Nurgi, Palga, Pavqpeellovniov, Pechuthedo, Salot thao, Snake fruit, Somlot, Sukhwa, Trong-pa-lin, Wuluken, Zaitan hutan

References (39)

• Anderson, E. F., 1993, Plants and people of the Golden Triangle. Dioscorides Press. p 210
• Cao, Y., et al, 2020, Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2020) 16:66
• Chakraborty, S. & Chaturbedi, H. P., 2014, Some Wild Edible Fruits of Tripura- A Survey. Indian Journal of Applied research. (4) 9
• Chase, P. & Singh, O. P., 2016, Bioresources of Nagaland: A Case of Wild 4 Edible Fruits in Khonoma Village Forest. in J. Purkayastha (ed.), Bioprospecting of Indigenous Bioresources of North-East India. p 50
• Davis, S.D., Heywood, V.H., & Hamilton, A.C. (eds), 1994, Centres of plant Diversity. WWF. Vol 1 or 2. p 139

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