Almost all oil willow species produce fruit from their flowers. Some of them are not edible, but not poisonous either. Others are edible and are valued not only by birds due to their high vitamin C content.
Which olive willow fruits are edible?
The fruits of the olive willow are edible in some species and rich in vitamin C, e.g. B. in the rich-flowered oil willow (Elaeagnus multiflora), coral oil willow (Elaeagnus umbellata) and narrow-leaved oil willow (Elaeagnus angustifolia). Other species have inedible but non-poisonous fruits.
The genus of olive willows (Elaeagnus) consists of a large number of species that differ from each other in their leaf and flower coloring, flowering time and fruit production. This is how you become e.g. For example, the fruits of the wintergreen olive willow (Eleagnus ebbingei) are rarely seen in our latitudes due to their late flowering period. These are also not edible.
Other oil willow species are cultivated not only as ornamental trees, but also as useful plants in mild winter areas due to their fruit yield. The berries of the following Elaeagnus species are particularly suitable for consumption and are often made into jellies and jams:
- Rich-flowered olive willow (Elaeagnus multiflora),
- Coral oil willow (Elaeagnus umbellata),
- Narrow-leaved olive willow (Elaeagnus angustifolia).
Variety of leaves, flowers and fruits in olive willows
The different olive trees differ mainly in their leaves. Countless shades are represented, from dark green to yellow-green. The flowers of the olive willow are usually white, have a pleasant smell and are popular with bees because of their sweet nectar. Some Elaeagnus species are planted in ornamental gardens only for their decorative fruits. The berries also have different colors, from bright red to reddish brown. They are small, round or oval.
If there is no yield
Basically, the climate in many areas of Central Europe is not warm enough for the oil willow fruits to ripen. The lack of fruit can also have other causes. Many oil willow species are self-fertile, but you can also get a self-sterile specimen. However, with a second plant, fertilization should usually work.
Tip
The other fruit trees benefit from the proximity of the olive pasture; they have a higher yield. This is due to the oil willow's ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen in its roots and thus produce its own fertilizer.