To: nafex mailing list at ibiblio <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [nafex] Silverberry
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:36:34 +0530
Alexis,
How about the fruit quality of E. pungens fruits. Are these edible?
As I am a pomologist (I guess all of inn NAFEX too) so a "fruit" for me
"fruit" only if it is edible. Botanical fruit does not mean anything. So I
presume when NAFEXers say "fruit", it is an "edible fruit".
Am I right?
Dr. Chiranjit Parmar
www.fruitipedia.com
-----Original Message-----
From: alexis@conev.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 12:19 AM
To: nafex@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [nafex] Silverberry
Eleagnus umbellata is not the same as eleagnus pungens. Eleagnus umbellata
blooms in the spring, and ripens in the fall, commonly known as autumn
olive, and is VERY invasive in the southeast. Eleagnus pungens, called
silverberry by some (other berries seem to go by this moniker as well)
blooms in the fall and carries its fruit through winter, ripening very early
in the spring, in winter in the far south, also listed as invasive in some
places. I don't know if it is as aggressive in spreading as autumn olive.
Sounds like there is at least one vote for the fruit of pungens not making
it through zone 6 winters. If anyone has any comment on the invasiveness of
pungens in zone 7, that would be useful too. I know the autumn olive is
completely out of control in central VA. Would be pleased to have pungens in
later winter early spring if it will ripen fruit here and if it is not
invasive in this climate.
Alexis