Hippophae rhamnoides

Medium-growing deciduous shrub reaching 6m tall by 2.5m wide. Hardy to UK zone 3, not frost tender. Flowers appear in April with seeds ripening September to October. Dioecious species requiring both male and female plants for seed production; wind-pollinated and not self-fertile. Nitrogen-fixing and noted for attracting wildlife. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils, including poor soils and drought. Grows in mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline pH. Requires full sun and prefers dry to wet conditions. Tolerates maritime exposure.

Description

A shrub or small tree which loses its leaves. It grows to 6 m high. It has a bushy arching habit. The twigs often become thorns. The leaves are alternate and without teeth. The leaves are very narrow and grey-green. They are paler underneath. They are 7.5 cm long. They have short stalks and droop from spiny twigs. Male and female flowers grow on separate bushes. The flowers are small and yellow or green. They grow in clusters. They appear before the leaves. The fruit are bright orange berries. They occur in dense clusters on the shoots of female plants. Both male and female plants must be grown together to get fruit. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It contains 120mg of vitamin C per 100g and is also very rich in vitamin A, though its acidity makes it too sharp for most adults when raw — most children, however, seem to enjoy it. The fruit is about 6–8mm in diameter and is very freely borne along the stems. It is excellent for juice, which is high in vitamins and has an attractive aroma, and is increasingly used in mixed fruit juice blends for its reputed health benefits. Some species and cultivars (not specified) yield fruit containing up to 9.2% oil. The fruit is ripe from late September and generally hangs on the plant all winter unless taken by birds. It becomes less acid after a frost or when cooked, though the taste and quality of frosted berries deteriorates quickly, so it is best harvested before frosts occur.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are made into preserves and pickles. They are acid tasting. They are also eaten with milk and cheese or made into sauces, jams, marmalade, syrup and jelly. They are also eaten raw. The fruit are used for juice. The leaves are used for tea.

Medicinal Uses

The twigs and leaves contain 4–5% tannin and are astringent and vermifuge. An oil produced from the tender branches and leaves — distinct from the fruit oil, with yields of around 3% — is used as an ointment for burns. A high-quality medicinal oil from the fruit treats cardiac disorders and is said to be particularly effective on the skin for burns, eczema, and radiation injury; it is also taken internally for stomach and intestinal diseases. The fruit itself is astringent and used as a tonic. Freshly pressed juice is used to treat colds, febrile conditions, and exhaustion. The fruit is exceptionally rich in vitamins A, C, and E, flavonoids, other bio-active compounds, and essential fatty acids. It is being investigated for its potential to reduce cancer incidence and halt or reverse tumour growth. The juice is also a component of vitamin-rich medicaments and cosmetic preparations such as face creams and toothpastes. A decoction of the fruit has been used as a wash for skin irritation and eruptions.

Known Hazards

Some reports suggest that the fruit is poisonous, whilst it may be very acid it is most definitely not poisonous. Avoid during pregnancy.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It is native to Asia and Europe. It grows near the coast and along riverbanks and in sandy woods. A cool climate plant. They are salt resistant. It needs plenty of light. It grows by the sea. It can tolerate drought. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,300-4,000 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 2-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China*, Czech, Denmark, Europe, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, North America, Northeastern India, Norway, NW India, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Sikkim, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tibet, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, including poor ones, so long as they are not too dry. Grows well by water and in fairly wet soils. Established plants are very drought resistant. Requires a sunny position, seedlings failing to grow in a shady position and mature shrubs quickly dying if overshadowed by taller plants. Does well in very sandy soils. Very tolerant of maritime exposure. Plants are fairly slow growing. Although usually found near the coast in the wild, they thrive when grown inland and are hardy to about -25°c. A very ornamental plant, it is occasionally cultivated, especially in N. Europe, for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties. 'Leikora' is a free-fruiting form, developed for its ornamental value. 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 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. Plants produce abundant suckers, especially when grown on sandy soils. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The sexes of plants cannot be distinguished before flowering, but on flowering plants the buds of male plants in winter are conical and conspicuous whilst female buds are smaller and rounded. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. A clumping plant, forming a colony from shoots away from the crown but with a limited spread. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The berries are typically harvested in late summer to early autumn depending on the specific species and local climate. Sea Buckthorn generally flowers 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 valuable in agroforestry for improving soil fertility, controlling erosion, providing windbreaks, and ground cover. It is highly tolerant of maritime exposure and can serve as a shelter hedge, though it dislikes heavy trimming. Its dense thorns make it a quickly impenetrable barrier. The extensive, suckering root system binds soil effectively, particularly on sandy ground, making it useful for conservation schemes. Its fast growth in exposed conditions and nitrogen-fixing ability make it an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodland; being very light-demanding, it is naturally shaded out as trees mature. The seeds contain 12–13% of a slow-drying oil. The vitamin-rich fruit juice is used in face masks and other cosmetic preparations. A yellow dye is obtained from the fruit, and also from the stems, roots, and foliage. A blackish-brown dye comes from the young leaves and shoots. The wood is tough, hard, very durable, and fine-grained, used for fine carpentry and turning. It is also used for fuel and charcoal. The berries provide food for birds and small mammals, and the dense, thorny branches offer shelter and nesting sites for birds. The foliage and leaf litter create overwintering habitat for invertebrates.

Production

In Sikkim fruit are available March to April.

Other Information

The fruit are eaten especially by children. It has become a cultivated commercial crop. It is sold in local markets.

Notes

There are about 8 Hippophae species. Chemical composition: rich in Vitamins B1, B2, C, E, and K, niacinimide, pantothenic acid and carotenoids. Serotonin (5- hydroxy-tryptamine) extract possesses antitumor properties. The fruit contain 135-608 mg Vit C per 100 g. It probably has anticancer properties.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Catina, Chakanda, Cherkar, Chharuras, Chuma, Dhurchuk, Homoktovis, Kalabisa, Katsvi, La xiong a xi, Navadni rakitovec, Niechak, Obliyepikha, Sallowthorn, Sea berry, Sermang, Sgajizi, Siberian pineapple, Sirma, Star bu, Tarwa chuk, Tasru, Tindved, Tsarap, Tserkar, Tsermang, Tshogs skyur, Xiaoguoshaji, Zhu

References (72)

• Afzal, S., et al, 2009, Ethno-botanical Studies from Northern Pakistan. J. Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 21(1)
• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 3003
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 267
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 74
• Battacharyya, A., 1991, Ethnobotanical Observations in the Ladakh Region of Northern Jammu and Kashmir State, India. Economic Botany, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 305-308

More from Elaeagnaceae

Elaeagnus x maritima

Elaeagnus x reflexa

Elaeagnus x submacrophylla

Ebbing's silverberry

Elaeagnus yoshinoi

🌱

Hippophae goniocarpa

Hippophae gyantsensis