What is the scientific name of the Elaeagnus fruit? This article gives you a detailed answer
The scientific name of the Elaeagnus fruit is Elaeagnus pungens, also known as Elaeagnus pungens, Banhanchun, Luduzi, Que'ersu, Tianbangzi, Niunaizigen, Shigunzi, Cuperda, Banchunzi, Shimo, Sanyuezao, Yangnaizi, Niuninai, etc. It is an evergreen erect shrub of the genus Elaeagnus in the family Elaeagnaceae. It is generally used as a fruit for eating, and there are two varieties, one is sweeter, and the other has slightly smaller fruit; the small-fruited type still grows wild on mountains now.
The Elaeagnus fruit is 3-4 m tall, with thorns, thorns terminal or axillary, 20-40 mm long, sometimes shorter, dark brown. Young branches are slightly flat and angular, densely covered with rusty scales; old branches lose their scales, are black, and glossy. Leaves are leathery, elliptic or broadly elliptic, rarely oblong, 5-10 cm long, 1.8-5 cm wide, both ends obtuse or the base rounded, margins slightly revolute or wrinkled-wavy; the upper surface has silvery white and a few brown scales when young, which fall off at maturity, is glossy, and becomes brownish green or brown after drying; the lower surface is densely covered with silvery white and a few brown scales; the inner surface of the fruit stone has white silky cotton hairs. The flowering period is September-December, and the fruiting period is April-June of the following year.
The Elaeagnus fruit has relatively strong cold resistance, can overwinter in the open ground in southern North China, and can endure an absolute low temperature of about minus 8°C; the suitable growth temperature is 24-34°C, and it tolerates high temperature and severe heat. Although in its place of origin it grows under sparse forests on hillsides and in shady, moist valleys, it is not afraid of sun exposure and also has strong shade tolerance. It has no strict requirements for soil and can grow in neutral, acidic, and calcareous soils; it is drought-tolerant and barren-tolerant, but not waterlogging-tolerant. Its shade tolerance is average; it likes high temperature and a humid climate, and its salt tolerance, drought tolerance, and cold tolerance are good, and its wind resistance is strong. It grows in mixed mountain forests and beside sunny gullies. It may also be cultivated.
The Elaeagnus fruit grows on sunny slopes or roadsides below 1000 m above sea level. Its main producing areas are Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou, Guangdong, Guangxi, and other places, and it is also distributed in Japan. The roots, leaves, and fruits are all used medicinally, and it also has a certain ornamental value. The main chemical components of the fruit include volatile oil, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. Its pharmacological activities mainly include lowering blood sugar, lowering blood lipids, anti-lipid oxidation, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, immune, and other effects.