Elaeagnus latifolia

Elaeagnus latifolia, known as the bastard oleaster, or soh-shang, is a species of Elaeagnus native to India and Southeast Asia.

Description

A woody climber. It can be 3-4 m long. It can be a shrub. It has long straggling stems. The leaves are alternate. The young leaves have a silvery covering of white hairs. The leaves have rusty scales which show up in older leaves. The flowers have small white petals. The fruit are 2 cm long and red when ripe. They have one seed.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It is acid and somewhat astringent, and is mainly used in preserves, pies and similar preparations, though one account describes it as acid and pleasantly refreshing when eaten fresh. It must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw — if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent. The fruit contains a single large seed, which can also be eaten raw or cooked alongside the fruit, though the seed case is rather fibrous.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten. They are sweet and sour in taste. They are used for tarts and jellies. They are also used for pickles. They can be cooked and sweetened with sugar.

Medicinal Uses

The flowers are astringent and cardiac. The fruit is also astringent. The fruit is additionally a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds, and provides a fairly good supply of essential fatty acids, which is unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated for its potential to reduce the incidence of cancer and to halt or reverse cancer growth.

Known Hazards

Fruit becomes quite astringent if not fully ripe before consumption.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in subtropical and temperate regions in the Himalayas. It grows between 700-2,300 m altitude. It grows in swampy regions. It can grow to hardiness zone 9. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Where It Grows

Andamans, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Cuba, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, West Indies,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained. Prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in poor soils and in dry soils. Requires a sunny position. This species is not very hardy in Britain and is unlikely to succeed outdoors even in the milder areas of the country. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. 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. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. It should germinate in late winter or early spring, 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 of cold stratification can help, though this stratification information is probably not appropriate to this species as it does not experience much frost in its native habitat. Prick out seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when at least 15cm tall. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7–10cm with a heel, taken in July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood from the current year's growth, 10–12cm with a heel, taken in October/November in a frame — the cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, so leave them for 12 months. Layering in September/October takes 12 months.

Other Uses

The wood makes a good fuel. The plant is a nitrogen fixer.

Production

A fruit can weigh 9 g. The yields can be 9-155 kg per plant. In NE India plants flower and fruit November to May. In Sikkim March to May.

Other Information

The fruit are sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Notes

There are 45 Elaeagnus species. Fruit are quite high in Vitamin C.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Ambgul, Bhadrasey, Bonjara, Buiehthei, Chishoshikajii, Chhokhua, Durenan besar, Ghiwan, Goeli, Guara, Hari, Hittele, Hmangu, Hunaseballi, Kayalampuvalli, Kolungai, Kulari, Loharu, Malindo, Maloh, Matau, Muslendi, Nildook, Nurgi, Pechuchudi, Saring, Shoushi-ajii, Sibsagar, Sohlyngi, Soh-shang, Sokua, Ta-htu-moo, Thong-za

References (53)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 191
• Angami, A., et al, 2006, Status and potential of wild edible plants of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 5(4) October 2006, pp 541-550
• Arora, K., Indigenous Forest Management in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 70
• Bailey, F. M., 1913, Comprehensive Catalogue of Queensland Plants. Queensland Government. p 459

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