Hippophae goniocarpa

Y.S.Lian, X.L. Chen & K.Sun.

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Summary

Fast-growing deciduous tree reaching 15 m with flowers in April and seeds ripening September to October. Dioecious with wind pollination; requires both male and female plants for seed production. Fixes atmospheric nitrogen and attracts wildlife. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, including nutritionally poor soil, across mildly acid to basic pH. Requires full sun, adapts to dry, moist, or wet soil, and tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Description

A thorny deciduous shrub. It grows 7 m tall. The bark is white. The leaves are alternate or opposite. They are white underneath. Plants are separately male and female. Both are needed for fruit. Fruit are red or yellow and cylinder shape. They have 3-5 small ridges. They are 6-10 mm long.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, though its strongly acidic, lemon-like flavour makes it too sharp for most people to enjoy raw. Some species and cultivars (not specified) yield fruit containing up to 9.2% oil. The fruit is well suited to preserves, and becomes noticeably less acid after a frost or when cooked.

Medicinal Uses

An oil produced from the tender branches and leaves — distinct from the fruit oil — is used as an ointment for treating burns. A high-quality medicinal oil made from the fruit is used to treat cardiac disorders and is said to be particularly effective when applied to the skin for burns, eczema, and radiation injury; it is also taken internally for stomach and intestinal diseases. The fruit is an exceptionally rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, flavonoids, other bio-active compounds, and essential fatty acids — the last being unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated for its potential to reduce cancer incidence and to halt or reverse tumour growth.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. They can grow in dry and sandy soil. It grows on river banks between 2,500-3,500 m above sea level. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Asia, China,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils if they are not too dry. Grows well by water. Members of this genus are attracting considerable interest from breeding institutes for their nutrient-rich fruits that can promote the general health of the body (see edible and medicinal uses below). This species is closely related to H. tibetana. Plants in this genus are 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. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Sea Buckthorn is dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers are produced on separate plants. Both male and female plants are needed for fruit production. The berries are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn, depending on the specific species and local climate. Sea buckthorns generally flower in spring, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Sea Buckthorn is a moderately fast-growing plant, typically reaching maturity in 3 to 5 years. It can grow to heights of 1 to 3 meters (3 to 10 feet) and can be quite hardy in various soil conditions, thriving in sandy and poor soils.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in a sunny position in a cold frame. Germination is usually quick and reliable, though 3 months of cold stratification may improve the rate. Alternatively, sow in a cold frame as soon as seed ripens in autumn. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse through their first winter. Plant out in late spring. In spring, male seedlings have very prominent axillary buds, while females are smooth and clear at this time. Cuttings of half-ripe wood taken in June/July in a frame are possible but difficult, and represent the easiest method of vegetative propagation. Cuttings of mature wood in autumn are also difficult — take them at the end of autumn or in early spring before buds burst, store in sand and peat until April, cut into 7–9cm lengths, and root in a plastic tent with bottom heat; rooting should occur within 2 months. Division of suckers in winter can be planted directly into permanent positions and usually establishes well. Layering in autumn is also possible.

Other Uses

Sea Buckthorn is a nitrogen-fixing plant useful in agroforestry for improving soil fertility, controlling erosion, providing windbreaks, and offering ground cover. The berries can be harvested for juice, oil, and other products. The wood is used for fuel. The plant's dense, thorny branches provide excellent shelter and nesting opportunities for birds, and its berries are a valuable food source for birds and small mammals. The dense foliage and thorny growth also create overwintering sites for invertebrates and useful ground cover from leaf litter.