Description
Latin Name: Elaeagnus commutata
DESCRIPTION
Family: Elaeagnaceae
Native Range: Canadian prairies
Seed Source: Natural stand near Kutawagan Lake, Saskatchewan.
Height and Spread: 3m x 1m (10 years)
Overview: A colonizing plant that is a nitrogen fixer that spreads by underground stems. It is extremely hardy and adapted to low-quality, droughty soils. Seeds produce a mixture of male and female plants. It prefers well-drained soils of medium texture
Fruits: A silver coloured dry achene 3 to 6mm long. Fruits remain on shrubs over winter.
SEED TREATMENT / SOWING
Stratification: Stratify seeds for 60 days at 5C.
Ideal sowing time: Stratified seed in late May, non-stratified seed in October
Sowing instructions: Sow 2 cm deep. Outdoor seedbed- sow 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse- sow 3 seeds per cell.
Growing conditions: Does well on a variety of soils, requires full sunlight, does not tolerate shade.
Agroforestry Value
Excellent for soil stabilization, reclamation, and wildlife habitat plantings.
