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Home , Hippophae, Hippophae rhamnoides, Rhamnus (plant)

S P E C I E S B Y S P E C I E S BLOSSOMING TREASURES OF BIODIVERSITY: 5. Sea Buckthorn ( rhamnoides) - an ancient crop with modern virtues

E. Small, P.M. Catling, and T.S.C. Li subspecies, but some specialists think that some of these deserve the rank of . Whether species E. Small and P.M. Catling or subspecies, some are restricted to relatively small Eastern Cereal and Oilseed Research Centre geographic areas. For example, the unusually hairy Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada H. gyantsensis occurs only in a restricted portion Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6 of Tibet adjacent to Sikkim. Canada Emails: [email protected] ECOLOGY [email protected] Sea Buckthorn is a colonizer of open . The European are typically found on slopes, T.S.C. Li riverbanks, and seashores. Over most of their natural Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre distribution, the plants receive 30-40 cm of precipi- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada tation annually. The three European subspecies of H. Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0 rhamnoides are widespread, generally in low altitude Canada areas under 2,000 m (about 6,500 feet). In contrast, Email: [email protected] most Asian representatives of the are montane In recent years, an ancient crop called Sea Buckthorn and rarely found be- has proven very useful in landscape management. In low 3,000 m (about addition, it good and is good for you. 10,000 feet). THE AND ITS DISTRIBUTION Sea Buckthorn has a highly efficient rela- Sea Buckthorn () is native to tionship with a bacte- Eurasia, and is mainly known in North America as an rium of the genus attractive ornamental . It has silvery , which and colourful berries that persist most belongs to a primi- of the winter. The name is from its habit of growing tive class of bacte- near the sea, and from the possession of many spines ria called the Acti- or thorns that are reminiscent of some buckthorn spe- nomycetes. This rela- cies (of the genus ). Plants typically grow tionship (similar to that 2-4 m (6½-13 feet) in height, although some in of the Pea family and the have reached 18 m (59 feet), and others grow no higher relatively advanced bac- than 50 cm (20 inches). There are both male and fe- teria of the genus Rhizo- male plants; the latter develop berries that are round bium) allows it to con- to almost egg-shaped, and up to 1 cm (3/8 inch) long. vert atmospheric ni- The fruit is usually orange, but yellow and red fruits trogen to a form that also occur. Unlike the majority of fruits that fall away can be used for nutri- from the maternal plant at maturity, the Sea Buckthorn tion. Only about two berries remain on the bushes all winter until eaten by dozen other plant genera birds. The fruits have a distinctive sourish and have developed such nitro- a unique aroma reminiscent of pineapple. Indeed, in gen-fixing relationships Belarus the fruit juice is known as Russian pineapple. with the long, thread-like All of the species of the genus Hippophae are na- Actinomycetes. The resulting tive to Eurasia and are called sea buckthorns. Ex- improved root growth enhances actly how many species there are is unclear. The the entire soil ecosystem: there is more most widespread, H. rhamnoides, has been divided organic matter, more oxygen, and more soil or- into approximately eight geographically separated ganisms, which means more soil biodiversity.

BIODIVERSITY 3 (2 ) 25 , and , and today breeding work is being conducted in , China, , Canada, and other countries. In China, fruit is har- vested from over one million ha (2.5 million acres) of wild Sea Buckthorn and almost 300,000 ha (750,000 acres) of cultivated plants. Sea Buckthorn has attracted international attention as a new crop opportunity. It is said to have “momen- tous economic potential” and is predicted by some as the “next major health food fad.” In Canada, where 182 hectares have been planted, researchers have re- cently published a grower’s guide and developed a mechanical harvester. In addition, cultivars adapted to Canadian conditions have recently been released. As medicine: Sea Buckthorn has been used medici- For promoting wildlife, Sea Buckthorn may be very nally in China for at least 12 centuries, and Sea valuable, especially in its native range. Many animals Buckthorn oil (from the pulp and seeds) is currently use it for food and shelter. In the Canadian prairies, used clinically in hospitals in Russia and China. the provide valuable habitats for the native Bioactive oil has also been obtained from the young Sharptail Grouse. Various birds have been shown to branches and leaves and has been incorporated into be effective at distributing the seeds of Sea Buck- an ointment for treating a wide variety of skin dam- thorn. Germination of the seeds is six times greater age, including burns, bedsores, eczema, and radia- when they have passed through a bird’s gut. tion injury. For example, in 1986, many of the While Sea Buckthorn is useful for promoting ecosystem Chernobyl nuclear disaster victims were treated with welfare there is concern about its invasiveness, particu- Sea Buckthorn. The oil is also taken internally for larly in the British Isles. Here it is dominating some dune diseases of the stomach and intestine. systems at the expense of a variety of native species. The dominance is apparently tied to the decline of rab- Such strictly medicinal usage has not yet developed bits that used to eat the young plants and shoots. The significantly in North America. There is, however, decline of rabbits was in turn, due to myxomatosis. interest in the healthful cosmetic properties in North America. The berries are relatively high in essential ECONOMIC VALUE fatty acids, which are important for the maintenance As nutritious food: The genus name Hippophae is of a healthy skin. absorbs ultra- classical Latin for “shining horse,” a name that was violet light, and since the oil is also known to be use- coined in ancient times after it was noted that feeding ful for promoting skin health, it is particularly suit- the leaves to horses improved their health and made able for sun-care . The Body Shop chain of their hair shiny. Sea buckthorn leaves contain con- stores, well known for its biodiversity-friendly cos- siderable protein (averaging 15%), and can be used metics, has marketed Sea Buckthorn sunscreen prod- as livestock and pet food, and the fruits are among ucts, both for sun blocking and tan enhancement. The the most nutritious of all berries. They are rich in a potential of Sea Buckthorn oils for dermatological ap- variety of antioxidant chemicals (vitamins C and E; plications is extremely promising. several , including beta-carotene (pro-vi- As soil enhancer: Sea Buckthorn is useful in reclaim- tamin A); ; certain enzymes, and other sub- ing and conserving soil, especially on fragile slopes, stances). The berries are too acidic to eat fresh for due to its extensive root system. Because it is resis- most palates, but make excellent juice, jellies, mar- tant to drought and tolerates soil salinity and low tem- malades, sauces, and liqueurs. The juice may be used peratures (to -43ºC or -45ºF), it is suitable for many by itself, or blended with other juices. The flavour situations that are simply too demanding for most has been likened to passionfruit. plants. Riverbanks, lakeshores, steep slopes, and In Eurasia, where Sea Buckthorn is one of the hardi- other susceptible terrain can benefit from the estab- est and most widely grown of northern fruits, the ber- lishment of Sea Buckthorn. Windbreaks made up of ries have been used as food for centuries, and possi- Sea Buckthorn are effective at preventing wind ero- bly long before then. However, selection of improved sion in open areas. The spiny shrub has even proven fruit varieties has only been carried out for the past to be beneficial in acting as a barrier to pedestrian 60 or so years. Cultivated varieties have been released traffic, preventing sensitive vegetation from being from the former U.S.S.R., Mongolia, the former East trampled. Not only does Sea Buckthorn prevent the

26 TROPICAL CONSERVANCY loss of soil, but it also improves degraded soils due sures. Its distribution pattern has been described as to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Thus, there is re- “highly fragmented,” i.e. it tends to occur as isolated duced need to add fertilizers, which results in less patches, and these are often genetically distinctive. input costs as well as fewer ecological problems. A recent analysis of Sea Buckthorn genetic resources noted, “The high and medicinal values of the As pollution reducer: Sea Buckthorn is useful in fruit have led to uncontrolled exploitation and even lessening pollution resulting from of contami- destruction of Sea Buckthorn resources in some parts nated mine waste, since it can be used to re-vegetate of its natural distribution. Thus, protection and pres- a variety of mine spoils. Because Sea Buckthorn is ervation of the valuable germplasm have become ur- naturally resistant to pests, it has limited need of pes- gent.” In Hungary, wild Sea Buckthorn is rarely ob- ticides that are potentially damaging to the environ- served, and the plant is protected as an endangered ment. In parts of North America it has been planted species. Such protection needs to be extended, espe- as cover along highways where de-icing salt prevents cially to the Asian Sea Buckthorns, which occupy growth of many other woody plants. Thus Sea Buck- small distinct ranges. As a fruit crop, Sea Buckthorn thorn helps to prevent erosion and release of pollut- requires considerable development, and the wild ants from roadsides. plants constitute an invaluable resource for selecting As a source of firewood: The introduction of Sea superior agricultural plants. Buckthorn in Nepal for firewood has also produced environmental benefits. The Nepalese used to cut branches from forest for firewood, demolishing China, Russia, and Mongolia are the larg- est producers of Sea Buckthorn commodi- the forest and causing severe . The ties. The main product is oil for medical quickly re-growing Sea Buckthorn has reduced har- and cosmetic purposes, but 50 different foods are also available. The range of vesting pressure on native woody plants. It tolerates items in Eurasia includes: juice, jellies, li- cutting while providing erosion control. quors, candy, tablets, ice cream, , biscuits, food colourants, cosmetics, As a landscape management tool: China is con- shampoos, and medicines. fronted with grave problems of soil erosion, with 2 million sq km (770,000 square miles) of eroding land. China has estimated its annual soil losses to BELIEVE IT OR NOT be around 5 billion tons and the annual loss of cul- It has been estimated that there is enough vitamin tivated land about 70,000 ha (173,000 acres). The C in the berries of the Sea Buckthorn plants of the most promising tool to control land degradation in world to meet the dietary requirements of the en- China is re-vegetation, and Sea Buckthorn is one of tire human population. the species successfully used on a large scale. In China designated its Sea Buckthorn sports drinks northern China it is helping to control desertifica- “Shawikang” and “Jianibao” as the official bever- tion, conserve land and water resources, and inte- ages for its athletes at the Seoul Olympic games in grate economic exploitation with ecological rehabili- 1988, and Russian cosmonauts also were supplied tation. About 1 million ha (2.5 million acres) of Sea with Sea Buckthorn beverages, to enhance their Buckthorn have been planted in China, most of it health and resistance to stress. It has been claimed for soil and water conservation. that Sea Buckthorn was the first fruit juice in space!

A living windbreak is a linear arrangement of plants, Sea Buckthorn is reputed to have been the favored primarily trees and shrubs, established to reduce food of Pegasus, the winged, flying horse of Greek harmful effects of strong winds, such as soil ero- Mythology, commemorated by a large constellation sion. It also helps protect crops, manage snow ac- in the . cumulation, and create wildlife . Plants that serve as windbreaks must be resistant to the drying “Look around you, Gabrielle. Lush prairie. And effects and physical injuries caused by wind, and those bushes with orange berries? See them, on Sea Buckthorn is well suited to this task. It has been those dunes? Sea Buckthorn. It grows wild here, grown on the Canadian prairies since the late 1970s and the oil works wonders on horses.” —Xena as a shelterbelt. Over 1 million seedlings of Sea (television’s Warrior Princess) Buckthorn have been distributed through the KEY INFORMATION “Shelterbelt Program” of Canada’s Prairie Farm Re- Li, T.S.C. and W.R. Schroeder. 1996. Sea buckthorn habilitation Administration since 1982. ( Hippophae rhamnoides L.): a multipurpose plant. HortTechnology 6: 370-380. CONSERVATION International Centre for Research and Training on Sea Buckthorn, http://www.icrts.org/china.htm Sea Buckthorn, despite being a common and wide- New crop opportunity, http://newcrop.hort.purdue.-edu/newcrop/pro- spread species, is deserving of conservation mea- ceedings1999/v4-335.html

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