Elaeagnus multiflora, the cherry elaeagnus,[1]cherry silverberry,[2]goumi, gumi, or natsugumi, is a species of Elaeagnus native to China, Korea, Japan and Russian Far east (Sakhalin).
Elaeagnus multiflora is a deciduous or semi-evergreenshrub or small tree growing to 2–8m (6ft 7in– 26ft 3in) tall, with a trunk up to 30cm (12in) diameter with dark brown bark. The shoots are densely covered in minute red-brown scales. The leaves are ovate to elliptic, 3–10cm (1.2–3.9in) long and 2–5cm (0.79–1.97in) 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 1.5cm (0.59in) long; flowering is in mid-spring.
Fruits of Elaeagnus multiflora in mid JuneJapanese Elaeagnus multiflora var. hortensis, with cigarette for scale
The fruit is a round to oval drupe1cm (0.39in) long, silvery-scaled orange, ripening red dotted with silver or brown, pendulous on a 2–3cm (0.79–1.18in)peduncle. When ripe in mid- to late summer, the fruit is juicy and edible, with a sweet but astringent taste somewhat similar to that of rhubarb. The skin of the fruit is thin and fragile, making it difficult to transport, thus reducing its viability as a food crop.
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,[3] Tillamook or Carmine,[4] Red Gem, Sweet Scarlet,[5] Hortensis,[6] ranked here for fruit size which tends to be opposite for taste. Also there have been some hybridization efforts, leading to the JR1 hybrid,[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]
USDA classify the shrub as a medium nitrogen fixer - it improves the soil.[10]
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) [11]
It also contains about 0.3–0.5% tannins.[12]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. [13] 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.[14] 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). [15]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).[16] In Poland, cultivation research began around 1995, in Ukraine around 1980. [17] 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
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)[18][19]
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