Sea buckthorn is a bright representative of a tree-like shrub, the height of which can reach 9 m.As a rule, it is a multi-stemmed tree, the height of which varies from 3 to 4 m, the crown diameter does not exceed 5 m. Thickets of a wild plant can be seen in the Baltic, and Western Siberia, as well as in the cities of Central Asia. Likes to grow along the banks of reservoirs.

Sea buckthorn buckthorn: description and characteristics

Buckthorn is a perennial plant, or rather a dioecious tree. The main distinguishing feature of the sea buckthorn culture is the presence of sharp thorns, which significantly complicate the harvesting process. Most fruiting plants do not have this protection. The trunk of the tree is literally covered with branches, they are abundantly covered with sharp and hard thorns, each about 2 cm long.

The bark of the sea buckthorn is colored grayish-brown. The foliage is elongated, about 8 cm long, linear-lanceolate, whole-marginal. Light green color with a characteristic silvery sheen is characteristic.

During the flowering of buckthorn trees, flowers of various colors are formed on them. Male flowers are dark brown in color. Each flower can have 4 pistils, all inflorescences are grouped into a spikelet of 10-15 pieces. The length of a spikelet usually does not exceed 1 cm. Female flowers, unlike male ones, have stamens. They are characterized by a greenish color, the inflorescences are grouped into brushes of several pieces. Duration of sea buckthorn flowering is 2 weeks, starting from late April - early May, depending on the region of growth and climatic conditions.

Buckthorn buckthorn

The unripe fruits of sea buckthorn are green in color, as they ripen, they acquire a rich orange color (orange). The fruits are usually miniature and oval in shape. Harvesting time is mid-fall. Up to 3 buckets of fruit can be harvested from one adult plant.

Sea buckthorn is not picky, therefore, even in the wild, it is capable of creating impenetrable thickets. Most suitable growing conditions: sandy soil along river valleys. Sea buckthorn practically does not require maintenance, since it adapts to all growing conditions, and the roots are able to provide themselves with moisture on their own from the depths of the soil.

Important!Reproduction of the plant is possible by saplings, seeds and the removal of root pagons.

There are many varieties of sea buckthorn. The main ones are:

  • Sea buckthorn Botanical. The description says that it is a medium-tall cold-hardy plant. Begins to bear fruit after 4-5 years. From an adult tree, it is possible to collect up to 7 kg of fruits. The berries ripen in August. The pulp has a pleasant aroma, it is juicy, sour in taste and tart.
  • Sea buckthorn Hikul - a deciduous shrub with a dense crown. The variety is male, does not bear fruit itself, but is capable of pollinating other varieties. The height of an adult plant can reach 2 m, the crown diameter is no more than 1.8 m.
  • Sea buckthorn Leikor - a fairly tall and sprawling shrub that bears fruit with attractive edible oval-shaped berries. The variety is famous for its high content of nutrients and medicinal substances. The variety is female, therefore, they require a male pollinator to form fruit.

Sea buckthorn Leikor

Chemical composition

In the State Pharmacopoeias (SP), sea buckthorn is listed as a plant with a rich chemical composition, but the amount and concentration of substances depends on the variety, place of growth, climatic conditions. Sea buckthorn pharmacognosy has been interested for a long time. Scientists in the course of numerous studies have established the components, which led to the massive use of raw materials in the Russian and world markets.

Apple-tree July Chernenko

The composition contains a high concentration of vegetable fats without cholesterol, carotonin, which colors the oils orange. It is also worth mentioning the presence of ascorbic acid and vitamins B and P. All the listed components of sea buckthorn are needed by the human body for full functioning. In addition, sea buckthorn berries contain triterpene substances, folic acid, glucose and phospholipids.

The pharmacopoeia has found many applications for sea buckthorn, for example, energy oils and cosmetics, various vitamin supplements.

Fact! It is recommended to introduce natural sea buckthorn juice into the diet of people who have low stomach acidity, atonic constipation and hypokinesia of the digestive tract.

It is used as an adjunct to the complex therapy of toxic hepatitis, as well as for the prevention of a large number of diseases.

High-quality sea buckthorn oils are recommended to be used for radiation, chemical and thermal burns of the skin, as well as trophic ulcers and bedsores. Before applying to the skin, you must first treat the damaged areas with an antiseptic, then apply a bandage abundantly moistened with sea buckthorn oil. Dressings are changed at least once a day.

Sea buckthorn oil

Contraindications for use

All products of organic origin can cause an allergic reaction in humans, sea buckthorn is no exception. There is a list of contraindications for taking sea buckthorn-based products:

  • with diseases of the digestive tract (peptic ulcer, pancreatitis) and high acidity;
  • with developmental pathologies or diseases of the biliary tract;
  • allergic reaction.

Agricultural rules

Fruit trees for the garden

It doesn't take long to grow a crop in home gardens as it has excellent adaptive properties. When planting sea buckthorn, it is recommended to give preference to loose soils containing a large amount of organic matter and phosphorus. The place should be well lit.

Important!Sea buckthorn does not tolerate digging the earth under the crown. The root system is well developed, so it does not need fertilization during the growth process.

The optimal time for planting is spring or autumn. The approximate dimensions of the planting pit are 50 * 50 cm. The pit should be prepared in advance by adding superphosphate and humus to it, as well as wood ash. It is important that the root collar is located 3-5 cm above the ground.

Planting sea buckthorn

Sanitary pruning is best done in early spring before bud break. Up to 5 years, the plant needs to form a crown annually. After 8 years, it is advisable to carry out anti-aging pruning.

All sea buckthorn varieties have average resistance to diseases and pest attacks. The plant is most susceptible to attacks by sea buckthorn aphids and flies. The most common disease is verticillary wilting. For prophylaxis, it is recommended to periodically irrigate the plant with solutions of fungicides.

Sea buckthorn buckthorn is a unique plant of its kind, which has a large number of advantageous features, since it has a beneficial effect on the human body. Its extracts are widely used in folk and traditional medicine, cosmetology and cooking. However, to get benefits, you should follow all the rules of use so as not to harm. The culture is unpretentious, so even a novice gardener can grow it.