Elaeagnus multiflora

Oil rich flowering willow ( Elaeagnus multiflora )

The rich flowering Elaeagnus ( Elaeagnus multiflora Thunb. ), Also edible oil Willow, Red Summer Ölweide, Long-stemmed oil pasture, called Japanese oil pasture, is a species of the genus of oil willow ( Elaeagnus ) within the family of oil willow family ( Elaeagnaceae ).

Dissemination

The species is common in Northeast Asia from China, Korea and Japan. In Germany you can find them in parks, gardens and along roadsides in natural hedges.

Description

The rich flowering Ölweide is dull green, a hardy and robust, deciduous, shrub with unreinforced upper side, lower side braunschuppigen silvery leaves. The white, yellow when fading, sweet-scented flowers appear in May / June. The dark red-brown to orange- red stone fruits are edible, juicy, sweet and sour, they ripen in August / September.

Ecology

Much like legumes ( legumes) and other oil pasture plants the rich flowering Ölweide is able with the aid of living in symbiosis bacteria ( Frankia ) in nodule -like structures to bind atmospheric nitrogen at the root, convert and make the plants available. Analogous to the mycorrhiza is called this form of symbiosis Aktinorrhiza. Therefore, the plant also thrives on poor soils, is resistant to heat, drought and wind, and thus suitable as a pioneer plant for attachment of embankments and dunes. In its heyday, it is a good bee pasture.

Use

The rich flowering willow oil is used as ornamental tree with fruit jewelry use. It is also a Nutzgehölz - because of the ability to grow on nutrient-poor soil. The juicy, sweet and sour stone fruits can be made ​​into jam, jelly or compote, mixed with other fruits, processed. Only ripe fruits are tasty as Naschobst for fresh consumption. The fruits can also be fermented into alcoholic beverages.

Others

The rich flowering Ölweide can sometimes happen with the very similar coral Elaeagnus ( Elaeagnus umbellata ), which also comes from Northeast Asia to be confused. The variety ' Sweet Scarlet' with large fruit comes from the Ukraine and was in Kew Gardens ( London) selected. Other varieties 'Red Cherry' with fragrant flowers and tasty red fruit. The cultivar ' Variegata' with marbled bright yellow patterned leaves.