Tsarap


Tsarap

This genus includes three species of deciduous Eurasian shrubs and trees. Hippophae rhamnoides is an ornamental, resilient shrub for hedging, windbreaks, and soil stabilization, especially in coastal areas. The fruits last well into winter, through the flavor deteriorates in autumn; both male and female plants are needed for fruiting. Fruiting branches can be used in winter floral arrangements. Breeding of sea buckthorn has been carried out mainly in the former E Germany, and several high-yielding cultivars are available for commercial cultivation. The Himalayan H. salicifolia (willow-leafed sea buckthorn) is used for similar purposes.

Dense, deciduous, thorny shrub with linear, gray-green leaves, to 6cm (2½in) long. Tiny yellow-green flowers are produced in racemes, to 2cm (¾in) long, in spring, followed on female plants by spherical orange berries, about 7mm (¼in) in diameter, speckled rusty brown.


Common Name:
Tsarap
Other Names:
Sea Buckthorn
Botanical Name:
Hippophae rhamnoides
Genus:
Hippophae
Family:
Elaeagnaceae
Native Location:
Europe, Asia
Cultivation:
Well-drained, neutral to alkaline, sandy soil in sun. Plant one male for every eight females, spacing 1.2-2m (4-6ft) apart. Prune to shape in late summer if required.
Propagation:
By seed swon in autumn of stratified for three months before sowing in spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in late autumn.
Harvest:
Fruits are picked when ripe and used whole, juiced, in decoctions, or for oil extraction.
Varieties:
Hergo
Is upright, producing heavy crops of large, yellow-orange fruits that yield juice with an orange-passion fruit flavor when sweetened.

Leikora
Is compact, bearing abundant large, bright orange fruits.

Pollmix
Is male, selected for pollinating "Leikora"
Height: 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft)
Width: 1.5-2m (5-6ft)
Height:
6m (20ft)
:Width
6m (20ft)
Hardiness:
Z3
Parts Used:
Fruits, juice, oil.
Properties:
A sour, astringent herb with a high vitamin A and C content.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally as a tonic to increase resistance to infection. Externally for skin problems.
Culinary Uses:
Fruits are eaten with cheese in E Europe, and made into marmalade, jelly, syrup, and sauces.
Economic Uses:
Fruits are used in making fruit-flavored herb teas, liqueurs, and vitamin supplements. Oil is used in skin care products.
Bibliography:
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg. 236