Elaeagnus multiflora

Description

Elaeagnus multiflora is a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub or small tree growing to 2 - tall, with a trunk up to 30 cm diameter with dark brown bark. The shoots are densely covered in minute red-brown scales. The leaves are ovate to elliptic, 3 - long and 2 - broad, green above, and silvery to orange-brown below with dense small scales.

The flowers are solitary or in pairs in the leaf axils, fragrant, with a four-lobed pale yellowish-white corolla 1.5 cm long; flowering is in mid-spring.

As with other species in the genus Elaeagnus, E. multiflora plants are actinorhizal, growing in symbiosis with the bacterium Frankia in the soil. These bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen, making it available in usable form for the host plant, and indirectly for other nearby plants. This feature allows the plant to grow in poorer soils than it could otherwise.

There are several cultivars, such as Gigantea or Daiougoumi, Tillamook or Carmine, Red Gem, Sweet Scarlet, Hortensis, ranked here for fruit size which tends to be opposite for taste. Also there have been some hybridization efforts, leading to the JR1 hybrid, with merits on size and taste.

Uses

This species is occasionally grown in Europe (France,Loraine)and North America as an ornamental plant and for its fruit. It is an established exotic species in parts of the eastern United States. In China, the leaves of the tree are used as a medicinal plant and a natural remedy for cough, diarrhea, itch, foul sores, and even cancer.

USDA classify the shrub as a medium nitrogen fixer - it improves the soil.

Fruit composition

The fruits contain:

11 – 18 % sugar

1.5 – 2.3 % organic acids

from 0.18 – 0.46 % pectin

from 13.2 – 19 mg / 100 g of vitamin A

16 – 33 mg / 100 g vitamin C (according to other sources up to 110.6 mg%, data for the Russian variety Krylyon)

It also contains about 0.3–0.5% tannins.It also contains about 68 mg/kg of iron, and a lot of polyphenolic compounds (about 285–765 mg %). The fruits are also rich in amino acids. They contain 17 times more lycopene than tomatoes.

History

It was introduced to Europe around 1850 (Netherlands). The French were the first to cultivate this fruit species in Europe around 1877, but cultivation never spread beyond a small part of the French province of Lorraine. The possibility of cultivation in Russia began to be investigated sometime after 1945, but more intensively only around 2000 (although the first seedlings were introduced to Russia as early as 1926). It has only been cultivated in America for the last 15-20 years (the first seedlings were imported to the USA about 100 years ago). In Poland, cultivation research began around 1995, in Ukraine around 1980. In China , Korea and especially Japan, goumi has been a common and highly valued fruit species for centuries.

Cultivated varieties

Sweet Scarlet : A red-berry Ukrainian variety popular in the United States. It is partially self-fertile, requiring another variety for pollination.

Goumi SPP : Austrian variety, self-fertile and therefore capable of producing fruit without any other pollinator.

Carmine : An American red-fruited variety, available in the United States. It is prized for its productivity and fruit quality.

Yahidka : A small variety from Ukraine, ideal for small gardens or potted crops.

Red Gem : A popular Russian variety in the United States, known for its tasty fruit and disease resistance.

Sakhalinskiy pervi - Russian variety

Krilyon - Russian variety

Moneron - Russian variety

Taisa - Russian variety

Sunrise Ruby - Korean variety

Pippi - new uSA variety

Gigantea (Daiougoumi) : Japanese variety.Recognizable by its larger fruits (6 to 10 grams), this variety has excellent potential for hybridization and crop improvement.

Var. Macrocarpa : Another large-fruited variety, each fruit weighing about 3.5 grams, compared to other varieties whose fruits weigh about 1 gram.

Bikkuri Gumi : A Japanese variety (translation "Surprise"). Possibly the same variety as Daiougoumi. The fruits appear to be even larger (10 grams)

References

References

1. {{BSBI 2007
2. {{PLANTS
3. "Elaeagnus multiflora 'Gigantea' | /RHS".
4. "Appreciating Goumi Berry".
5. "Sweet Scarlet Goumi ™".
6. "Elaeagnus multiflora var. hortensis (M.Bieb.) Servett. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science".
7. (16 June 2024). "Le futur du Goumi du Japon (Elaeagnus Multiflora)".
8. "Profile for ''Elaeagnus multiflora'' (cherry silverberry)".
9. (2022). "The Bioactive Profile, Nutritional Value, Health Benefits and Agronomic Requirements of Cherry Silverberry (Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb.): A Review". Molecules.
10. "Plants of the POP Learning Orchard: Nitrogen Fixing Shrubs".
11. https://fialka.tomsk.ru/index.php/17-gumi
12. http://referatu.net.ua/referats/7569/156885 {{Webarchive. link. (16. srpnja 2017. 15.09.2015.)
13. [https://www.nkj.ru/archive/articles/13295/ ЛОХ ЗА КАЛИТКОЙ] Pristupljeno 15.09.2015.
14. "Petit fruit vosgien : Le goumi".
15. https://fialka.tomsk.ru/index.php/17-gumi
16. Reich,L. Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden,Portland 2004.,p.115
17. (2022). "The Bioactive Profile, Nutritional Value, Health Benefits and Agronomic Requirements of Cherry Silverberry (Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb.): A Review". Molecules.
18. "Buy Sunrise Ruby (TM) Goumi Online | Burnt Ridge Nursery-Burnt Ridge Nursery".
19. "Introducing 'Pippi' Goumi Berries".
20. (16 June 2024). "Le futur du Goumi du Japon (Elaeagnus Multiflora)".
21. https://fialka.tomsk.ru/index.php/17-gumi