Elaeagnus difficilis

Family: Elaeagnaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall. It can be spreading. The side branches have spines at the tips. The leaves are sword shaped and 7-14 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The flowers are in groups of 1-5 in the axils of new side shoots. The flowers are nodding and tube shaped. The fruit are orange to red and cylinder shaped. They are 1-2 cm long by 6-9 mm aide. They have 8 ribs.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. In southern China it grows between 600-1,800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In China plants flower in April and fruit in May to June.

Its other names

Local names

Tiu ching tsz tang

Synonyms

Elaeagnus cuprea Rehder; Elaeagnus difficilis var. brevistyla W. K. Hu & H. F. Chow; Elaeagnus difficilis var. difficilis;