Elaeagnus glabra

Elaeagnus glabra is an evergreen shrub in the Elaeagnaceae family. It comes from eastern Asia, including China and Japan. It grows in thickets on hills in its native range. One English common name is goat nipple. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. Growth is moderate, and plants can reach about 20 feet [6 metres]. Its habit can become climbing rather than remain a free-standing shrub. Under trees, it can scramble up into their branches.

Flowers appear from October to November, and bees pollinate them. Each flower has both male and female parts. The seeds ripen in May, within oval fruits. Each fruit is about 0.05 feet [0.015 metres] long and holds one large seed. The fruit is edible raw or cooked. Wait until it ripens fully before eating it raw. Even slightly unripe fruit has a strong, astringent taste. The seed is also edible raw or cooked. Its fibrous casing can make it less pleasant to eat.

This shrub grows in sand, loam, or clay with good drainage. It accepts poor soil and prefers only moderate soil fertility. Use lime-free ground with a mildly acid to neutral pH. It grows in sun, partial shade, and woodland shade. Plants can live beneath other trees and climb through them. Dry or moist soil suits it, and it tolerates drought. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 7–10. It also warns that plants lack reliable hardiness in colder areas.

Garden uses include hedges, windbreaks, and planting along woodland edges. The shrub tolerates coastal exposure and can form an exposed hedge. A windbreak may take time to reach a useful size. It can fill gaps beneath trees with bare lower trunks. Its ability to fix nitrogen adds another use in planted landscapes. Fruit cropping is uneven, which limits its promise as a food crop. The reasons for poor crops need more study.

Propagation is possible from seed or half-ripe cuttings. Fresh seed may sprout within four weeks, but some takes 18 months. Stored seed can take longer still. Warm treatment followed by cold treatment may help stored seed germinate. PFAF reports no known hazards for this species. That statement does not establish safety for pets or every use. The supplied evidence names no specific pests or diseases.