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Herbal Database Search ResultsBack to: Pathways Main Search Page For Metaphysical uses visit The Witchs Haven Elaeagnus angustifolia
Physical CharacteristicsA decidious shrub growing to 7m by 7m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. We rate it 4/5 for edibility and 2/5 for medicinal use. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. Habitats and Possible LocationsHedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.Edible UsesFruit Seed.
Fruit - raw or cooked as a seasoning in soups[1, 2, 3, 100, 146, 74].
Dry, sweet and mealy[11, 145, 183]. The fruit can also be made into jellies
or sherbets[183]. The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw,
if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent[K]. The oval fruit is
about 10mm long[200] and contains a single large seed[K].
Medicinal UsesDisclaimerCancer Febrifuge Pectoral.
The oil from the seeds is used with syrup as an electuary in the
treatment of catarrh and bronchial affections[240].
Other UsesEssential Fuel Gum Hedge Wood.
Plants can be grown as a hedge in exposed positions[29], tolerating
maritime exposure[200]. It is fairly fast-growing and very tolerant of
pruning, but is rather open in habit and does not form a dense screen[K].
Because the plant fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it makes a hedge that enriches
the soil rather than depriving it of nutrients[K].
Cultivation detailsAn easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[200], though it dislikes shallow chalk soils[98]. Prefers a light sandy soil that is only moderately fertile[11], succeeding in poor soils and dry soils[11, 200]. Requires a position in full sun, growing very well in hot dry positions[182]. Plants are very drought and wind resistant[1, 166, 200], they tolerate conditions of considerable salinity and alkalinity[227].A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40° c[184]. However, plants prefer a continental climate[49] and are apt to be cut back in severe winters in Britain because the summer is often not warm enough to have fully ripened the wood[1]. A very variable species[214]. This species is often cultivated in N. Europe for its edible fruits, there are many named varieties and some of these are thornless[214]. 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[160, 200]. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%. Plants are very tolerant of pruning, they usually resprout freely even when cut right back to the ground. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200]. The flowers are sweetly and heavily scented[184]. PropagationSeed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78]. It should germinate in late winter or early spring, though it may take 18 months[K]. 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[98]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well[78]. 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, July/August in a frame. Difficult[113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, October/November in a frame[200]. The cuttings are rather slow and difficult to root, leave them for 12 months[113]. Layering in September/October. Takes 12 months[78]. Root cuttings in the winter[200]. Scent
Cultivars
SuppliersPlants For A Future is working with the following groups to try and make these plants easily available. Parts of the proceeds will be donated to so please mention us when ordering.
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look. PFAF Web PagesThis plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
References for the family Elaeagnaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources. Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images. References[K] Ken Fern
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951 [2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6 [3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 [11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981 [29] Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974 ISBN 0900629649 [49] Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. [74] Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968 [78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948 [88] RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987 [93] Davis. P. H. Flora of Turkey. Edinburgh University Press 1965 [98] Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. [100] Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969 ISBN 0192176218 [113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009 [145] Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1976 [146] Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972 [160] Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. [166] Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990 [182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 [183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 [184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2 [200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 [214] Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994 ISBN 1352-4186 [227] Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. 1982 ISBN 0292780206 [240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986 [245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 Readers CommentsElaeagnus - Autumn OliveMatt Trahan (matttrahan@ecsu.campus.mci.net) Mon, 17 Nov 1997 Just finished reading your very informative article at http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/elaeagns.html We grow Eleagnus 'russian olive' (unsure of species) as an evergreen hedge in our back yard here in northeastern North Carolina, U.S.A. It is also a very common shrub out on the outer banks of N.C. In our hot and humid climate (USDA zone 8) it will do ok in swales/waterlogged areas. In fact it acts almost as happy as a willow on a streambank. Autumn olive is very common here as a hedge or specimen shrub. With its beautiful perfume and silvery leaves, it's very attractive. Unfortunately, it is now classed as an invasive pest by the Virginia Native(?) plant society. This plant was discussed during a lecture on invasive plants at the Maymont Flower and Garden show in Richmond Va. last Spring. Slides were shown of entire hillsides being taken over. I have to admit that the russian olive will reseed almost as easily as the autumn olive. Still not sure about ripping out the hedge though. It is very attractive, does provide great privacy and a wonderful perfume in fall. (sigh) Wonder if they said the same thing about purple loosestrife. I appoligise for giving you such news, but I thought you might be interested in how well (too well) it does on this side of the Atlantic. I hope your findings are different in the UK. Regards, Matt Trahan Details of Growing Condition: USDA zone 8, Sunset zone 31, AHS heat zone 7, northeastern N.C.. Cross references: Genera: Elaeagnus. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus multifloraJeff Grover (grov.indus@juno.com) Mon Aug 07 10:53:37 2000 I'm glad I finally found your web page. I've been growing Elaeagnus multiflora for six years as a fruit crop and have been searching for others doing the same. The original two plants were E. multiflora grafted on either E. umbellata or E. angustifolia rootstock. This grafted plant produces blossoms in April to produce a heavy crop around the first of July. Besides wood ash from the wood stove there has been no soil amenities added. They are planted on a 25 degree slope with virtually no topsoil over clay . The USDA Zone for here is 6 but due to the altitude (1400 ft) and heavy rainfall (45 in) we tend to get a lot of freezing rain in the winter and some very hard frosts late in the spring. The reason I chose E. multiflora for an orchard crop was for the hardiness and the fact that deer won't eat them, as they have everything else in the orchard, and I can harvest a unique berry for the tourist market here. The information provided on your web page is not available in American horticulture books and is an inspiration for me to expand my orchard.
Cross references: Plants: Elaeagnus multiflora, Elaeagnus umbellata. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus angustifoliaRich (michael@thewitchshaven.com) Tue Nov 21 20:19:03 2000 Autumn olive is a very troublesome invasive species in Virginia. In addition to its prolific fruiting, seed dispersal by birds, rapid growth and ability to thrive in poor soils, Autumn olive resprouts vigorously after cutting or burning. It creates heavy shade which suppresses plants that require direct sunlight. Although less abundant in Virginia, Russian olive poses similar threats. In the western United States it has become a major problem in riparian woodlands, threatening even large, hardy native trees such as cottonwood. Taken from Virginia Natural Heritage Program. Cross references: Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus - Autumn OliveMyra Bonhage-Hale (lapaix@iolinc.ne) Sat May 12 20:45:00 2001 I am very interested in Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) - have been trying to distill the flowers for essential oil and hydrosol - the aroma is not the same as the oh, so sweet and evocative smell of the flowers on the bush. In West Virginia, USA, it is considered invasive and exotic and is abhorred by farmers, especially cattle farmers. I am interested in finding a good use for this plant which has so many good attributes: nitrogen fixing, habitat for blue birds - and full of lycopene which is knwn to be an antioxidant - and perhaps a preventive action for chronic diseases including certain cancers. Seen as an enemy by most farmers in West Virginia, finding it to be a friend and useful appeals to my sometimes quixotic attitude toward life. Any help, any research, any comments will be appreciated. Myra Bonhage-Hale, La Paix Herb Farm, Alum Bridge, West Virginia email: lapaix@iolinc.net. Web Site: www.lapaixherbaljourney.com Cross references: Genera: Elaeagnus. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus multifloramarguerite nabinger (webmaster@appollonia.net) Fri Jun 1 07:59:14 2001 I was recently reading a website on sustainable agriculture called Wild Thyme Farm which is located in the Oregon/Washington area of the US. He was very enthusiastic about this plant and suggested planting it liberally in pasture areas for forage for cattle. He suggested the plant be coppiced so that it would put out abundant shoots after being cut back. That might be an idea for plant control if the eleagnus is running wild, just turn a herd of goats out in it for a few days! Details of Growing Condition: From website, Oregon/Wash USA area. Cool coastal area with fogs. Rural farm with diversified products.. Cross references: Plants: Elaeagnus multiflora, Elaeagnus umbellata. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus - Autumn OliveLarry (Larrytoo@mailcity.com) Fri Oct 19 16:58:17 2001
I have had an Elaeagnus - Autumn Olive hedge here in Va for about 15 years (just south of DC). Quite leggy just now and to be cut back soon. Surprised to find it now on the "Invasive" list (and to find its relative Russian Olive listed as a noxious weed in Utah) as I acquired this hedge in bare root form from the state of Va! I also have an Ebbingei hedge across the front yard, a far superior hedge in my opinion, well knit togather but a B***h to trim due to the resinouus dust from the leaves in early autum and in this area it really needs trimming twice a year. Questions: The Autum hedge I can trim back almost to stumps and it returns with vengence, how far back can the Ebbingei be safely cut, and when is this best done? In propagating the Ebbingei, I could use a bit more detail, for example, what is ment by "with heel" when taking clippings. Thanks
Details of Growing Condition: Just south of DC (ZIP 22306), predominently low grade fill dirt with deposits of marine slip clay, water table about ten feet down, area known as "Death Valley" by the local plant shops.. Cross references: Genera: Elaeagnus. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus - Autumn OliveI am confuzzeled here. I understand that Autum Olive is Elaeagnus angustifolia (oringe/red berries), common in the Virginias while Umbellata is the Russian Olive (Yellow berries) rare her but common in the West. Cross references: Plants: Elaeagnus umbellata. Genera: Elaeagnus. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.Mike Hardman Fri Nov 2 18:04:24 2001 I have seen thickets of a species of Elaeagnus growing in gently rolling hills west of Calgary, Canada. I do not know which species it was, but I thought I'd mention it since there has been mention here of doubts about hardiness of X ebbingei in the far north of the UK (I am thinking of my sister in Caithness). Maybe there is scope for crossing with this Canadian species - which must be darn hardy. Oh, the species I saw had plain silvery leaves and grew about 9ft tall, spreading by suckers. Details of Growing Condition: Gravelly clays a few miles west of Calgary, Canada. Cross references: Plants: Elaeagnus x ebbingei. Genera: Elaeagnus. Web-pages: Elaeagnus x ebbingei - A Plant for all Reasons.. Back to: Pathways Home page, Main Search Page Help Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
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Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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