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Elaeagnaceae FAMILY

Hippophae rhamnoides

Hippophae rhamnoides

Edibility
5/5
Medicinal
4/5

Safety & Hazards

Some reports suggest that the fruit is poisonous[1, 2], whilst it may be very acid it is most definitely not poisonous[3].

Cultivation Details

HabitDeciduous Shrub
GrowthMedium

Hippophae rhamnoides is a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25 to -35°c when fully dormant[4, 5]. An easily grown plant, though it requires a sunny position - seedlings fail to grow in a shady position and mature shrubs quickly die if they are overshadowed by taller plants[6, 7]. It grows well in very sandy soils, though it is able to succeed in most soil types, including poor ones, so long as they are not too dry[8, 9, 7, 5]. It grows well by water and in fairly wet soils[9]. Established plants are very drought resistant[7]. Plants are very wind resistant and tolerant of maritime exposure[10]. Plants are fairly slow growing[10]. Hippophae rhamnoides is a complex species, that is currently (2019) seen as comprising nine subspecies. These subspecies are not given separate records here unless there is something that particularly distinguishes them. The subspecies are classified as follows:- Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. rhamnoides. This form is restricted to Europe where it is usually found in coastal situations, often in very exposed and windy areas. It is a shrub or a tree that can grow up to 18 metres tall. The orange or reddish, globose to ovoid fruit can be 4 - 9mm x 3 - 8mm[11]. Although usually found near the coast in the wild, this subspecies also thrives when grown inland[11 Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. carpatica Rousi. Found in a belt through Europe from Poland to Romania and Macedonia. A disjunct plant confined to the Transsylvanian Alps and the Carpathian Mountains, extending down to the northwest shore of the Black Sea, from sea level to around 400 metres Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. caucasica Rousi. Native to Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, probably also in much of eastern Europe. On sandy and stony ground in the mountains between the Black and to the Caspian seas, mainly between 1,000 - 2,500 metres. Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. fluviatilis Soest. Native to parts of Europe, especially from Germany to Spain and east to Switzerland and Italy. Also in Romania. On stony and sandy slopes in the European Alps, extending into the Pyrenees and Apennines, between 100 - 1,900 metres. Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp.mongolica Rousi. Native to Mongolia, eastern Russia and China (Xinjiang), where it grows on gravelly, sandy, and alluvial ground in western Outer Mongolia, and Altai Mountains to Lake Baikal, about 500 - 1,800 metres. A shrub, it usually grows up to 2.5 metres tall, occasionally reaching 6 metres. The almost globose fruit is 6 - 9mm in diameter[11]. Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi. Native to northern and central China, where it grows in open sunny habitats on river banks, dry river beds, forest margins or thickets on mountain slopes, at elevations from 800 - 3.600 metres. It is a shrub or a tree that can grow from 1 - 15 metres tall with a bole up to 30cm in diameter. The yellow to deep red fruit is around 4 - 6mm in diameter[11]. Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. turkestanica Rousi. Widespread in central Asia from Kazakhstan to Mongolia and south to Afghanistan and northern India, where it grows on river terraces, dry river beds, occasionally on moraines or open mountain slopes, at elevations from 600 - 4,200 metres. It is a shrub or small tree, usually growing up to 6 metres tall, occasionally to 15 metres. The red to yellow, subglobose to broadly ellipsoid or obovoid fruit is 5 - 9mm x 3 - 5mm when dried[11]. Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. wolongensis Y.S.Lian et al. Native to Sichuan in China where it grows on mountain slopes at elevations from 1,600 - 2,000 metres. It is a shrub or a small tree growing 3 - 5 metres tall. The yellow, subglobose fruit is 4 - 7mm in diameter[11]. Hippophaë rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi. Native to China from eastern Xizang to western Sichuan and Yunnan, where it grows on sandy or stony river terraces, forest margins, thickets on mountain slopes, occasionally in meadows at highest elevations, at elevations from 2,200 - 3,700 metres. It is a shrub or a tree growing from 2 - 15 metres tall, with a bole that can be up to 30cm in diameter. The yellow fruit is around 5 - 7mm in diameter[11]. A very ornamental plant[8, 12], Hippophae rhamnoides is occasionally cultivated, especially in N. Europe, for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[13]. '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)[14]. Plants can be coppiced and usually produce abundant suckers, especially when grown on sandy soils[7]. A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are 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[12]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. 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[15, 7, 5].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a sunny position in a cold frame[16]. Germination is usually quick and good although 3 months cold stratification may improve the germination rate. Alternatively the seed can be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring into their permanent positions. Male seedlings, in spring, have very prominent axillary buds whilst females are clear and smooth at this time[16]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, early summer/July in a frame[5]. Difficult[15]. This is the easiest method of vegetative propagation[14]. Cuttings of mature wood in autumn[5]. Difficult[15]. The cuttings should be taken at the end of autumn or very early in the spring before the buds burst. Store them in sand and peat until mid spring, cut into 7 - 9cm lengths and plant them in a plastic tent with bottom heat[14]. Rooting should take place within 2 months and they can be put in their permanent positions in the autumn[14]. Division of suckers in the winter. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions and usually establish well and quickly[PFAF]. Layering in autumn[5]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-21. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Hippophae+rhamnoides>

Pollinators

Wind

References

  1. [1]Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. — Triska. Dr. · Hamlyn · 1975 · ISBN 0-600-33545-3 ↩︎Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
  2. [2]Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. — Polunin. O. · Oxford University Press · 1969 · ISBN 0192176218 ↩︎An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
  3. [3]A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. — Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. · Wolfe · 1984 · ISBN 0723408394 ↩︎Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
  4. [4]Shrubs. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1989 · ISBN 0-330-30258-2 ↩︎Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1,900 species and cultivars.
  5. [5]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  6. [6]Growing Unusual Fruit. — Simmons. A. E. · David & Charles; Newton Abbot. · 1972 · ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 ↩︎A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
  7. [7]Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. — Beckett. G. and K. · Jarrold · 1979 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
  8. [8]RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 — F. Chittendon. · Oxford University Press · 1951 · ISBN - ↩︎Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]).
  9. [9]Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. — Thomas. G. S. · Murray · 1992 · ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 ↩︎Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
  10. [10]Shelter Trees and Hedges. — Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. · Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food · 1984 · ISBN - ↩︎A small booklet packed with information on trees and shrubs for hedging and shelterbelts in exposed maritime areas.
  11. [11]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
  12. [12]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  13. [13]Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. — Facciola. S. · Kampong Publications · 1990 · ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 ↩︎Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
  14. [14]The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. — Matthews. V. · Royal Horticultural Society · 1994 · ISBN 1352-4186 ↩︎A quarterly magazine, it has articles on Himalayacalamus hookerianus, hardy Euphorbias and an excellent article on Hippophae spp.
  15. [15]The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. — Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. · Athens Ga. Varsity Press · 1987 · ISBN 0942375009 ↩︎A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
  16. [16]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
  17. [17]Edible and Medicinal Plants. — Launert. E. · Hamlyn · 1981 · ISBN 0-600-37216-2 ↩︎Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
  18. [18]Flora of the British Isles. — Clapham, Tutin and Warburg. · Cambridge University Press · 1962 · ISBN - ↩︎A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
  19. [19]Herbs — Phillips. R. & Foy. N. · Pan Books Ltd. London. · 1990 · ISBN 0-330-30725-8 ↩︎Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
  20. [20]Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. — Gupta. B. L. · Forest Research Institute Press · 1945 · ISBN - ↩︎A good flora for the middle Himalayan forests, sparsly illustrated. Not really for the casual reader.
  21. [21]Flora of the USSR. — Komarov. V. L. · Israel Program for Scientific Translation · 1968 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org · ISBN - ↩︎An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
  22. [22]Alternative Enterprises for Agriculture in the UK. — Carruthers. S. P. (Editor) · Centre for Agricultural Strategy, Univ. of Reading · 1986 · ISBN 0704909820 ↩︎Some suggested alternative commercial crops for Britain. Readable. Produced by a University study group.
  23. [23]Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). — Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. · Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. · 1986 · ISBN - ↩︎Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.
  24. [24]Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. — Chiej. R. · MacDonald · 1984 · ISBN 0-356-10541-5 ↩︎Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
  25. [25]The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants — Chevallier. A. · Dorling Kindersley. London · 1996 · ISBN 9-780751-303148 ↩︎An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
  26. [26]CosIng — http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/ ↩︎CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
  27. [27]A Modern Herbal. — Grieve. · Penguin · 1984 · ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 ↩︎Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
  28. [28]Dictionary of Economic Plants. — Uphof. J. C. Th. · Weinheim · 1959 · ISBN - ↩︎An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
  29. [29]A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. — Usher. G. · Constable · 1974 · ISBN 0094579202 ↩︎Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
  30. [30]A Manual of Indian Timbers. — Gamble. J. S. · Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh · 1972 · ISBN - ↩︎First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
  31. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎