Hippophae rhamnoides

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(Common) Sea-buckthorn
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Elaeagnaceae Genus: Hippophae Species: H. rhamnoides
Binomial name
Hippophae rhamnoides L.

Hippophae rhamnoides, also known as (Common) Sea-buckthorn, is a species in the family Elaeagnaceae.

Common Sea-buckthorn branches are dense and stiff, and very thorny. The leaves are a distinct pale silvery-green, lanceolate, 3-8 cm long and less than 7 mm broad. It is dioecious with male and female flowers on separate plants. The brownish male flowers produce wind-distributed pollen. Flowers in April.

[edit] Medicinal Uses

A high-quality medical oil is produced from the fruit of sea buckthorn and used in the treatment of cardiac disorders. Russian cosmonauts have used its oil for protection against radiation burns in space. Overall the berries have proven to be among the most nutritious fruits known.

[edit] Habitat

Usually found near the coast forming thickets on fixed dunes and sea cliffs.

[edit] Range

It ranges from Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain and Asia to Japan and the Himalayas.