Kartikshina85855 at 04:16, 10 January 2026

2026-01-10T04:16:26Z

New page

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants including sea buckthorn}}
{{Redirect-synonym|Seaberry|plants in the genus [[Haloragis]]}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = ''Hippophae''
| image = Hippophae rhamnoides-01 (xndr).JPG
| image_caption = Common sea buckthorn shrub in the [[Netherlands]]
| taxon = Hippophae
| authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
| range_map = Hippophae distribution.svg
| type_species = ''[[Hippophae rhamnoides]]''
| synonyms = * ''Argussiera'' Bubani
* ''Hippophaes'' Asch.
* ''Oleaster'' Heist. ex Fabr.
* ''Rhamnoides'' Mill.
}}

'''''Hippophae''''' is a [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the family [[Elaeagnaceae]]. They are [[deciduous]] [[shrub]]s. They are exceptionally hardy plants, able to withstand winter temperatures as low as {{convert|-43|C|F}}. As ''Hippophae'' species develop an aggressive and extensive root system, they are planted to inhibit [[soil erosion]] and used in [[land reclamation]] for their [[nitrogen fixing]] properties, [[wildlife habitat]], and soil enrichment. ''Hippophae'' berries and leaves are manufactured into various human and animal food and [[skincare]] products.{{clarification needed|reason=is this true of any species except H. rhamnoides?|date=November 2024}}

==Species and description==
The shrubs reach {{convert|0.5|-|6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} tall, rarely up to {{convert|10|m|ft}} in central Asia. The leaf arrangement can be alternate or opposite.<ref name=swenson/> '''[[Plants of the World Online]]''<ref name = POWO>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:14480-1 Plants of the World Online: ''Hippophae'' L. (retrieved 16 February 2025)]</ref> includes the following species:
*''[[Hippophae × goniocarpa]]'' {{Au|Y.S.Lian & al. ex Swenson & Bartish}} is a natural hybrid of ''H. neurocarpa'' and ''H. sinensis''<ref>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:20004985-1 POWO: ''Hippophae × goniocarpa'' Y.S.Lian & al. ex Swenson & Bartish]</ref> which grows in mountainous regions in Nepal, Mongolia and China.
*''[[Hippophae gyantsensis]]'' {{Au|(Rousi) Y.S.Lian}}
*''[[Hippophae litangensis]]'' {{Au|Y.S.Lian & Xue L.Chen ex Swenson & Bartish}}
*''[[Hippophae neurocarpa]]'' {{Au|S.W.Liu & T.N.He}}
*''[[Hippophae rhamnoides]]'' {{Au|L.}}: Common sea buckthorn has dense and stiff branches, and are very thorny. The [[leaf|leaves]] are a distinct pale silvery-green, lanceolate, {{convert|3|-|8|cm|in|frac=2|abbr=on}} long, and less than {{convert|7|mm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}} broad. It is [[plant sexuality|dioecious]], with separate male and female plants. The male produces brownish flowers which produce wind-distributed [[pollen]]. The female plants produce orange [[Berry (botany)|berries]] {{convert|6|-|9|mm|in|frac=16|abbr=on}} in diameter, soft, juicy, and rich in oils. The roots distribute rapidly and extensively, providing a nonleguminous [[nitrogen fixation]] role in surrounding soils.
*''[[Hippophae salicifolia]]'' {{Au|D.Don}} (willow-leaved sea buckthorn) is restricted to the [[Himalayas]], to the south of the common sea buckthorn, growing at high altitudes in dry valleys; it differs from ''H. rhamnoides'' in having broader (to {{convert|10|mm|in|frac=8|abbr=on}}){{citation needed|date=June 2023}} and greener (less silvery) leaves, and yellow berries. A wild variant occurs in the same area, but at even higher altitudes in the alpine zone.{{Citation needed|date=April 2007}} It is a low shrub not growing taller than {{convert|1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} with small leaves {{convert|1|-|3|cm|in|frac=4|abbr=on}} long.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}
*''[[Hippophae sinensis]]'' {{Au|(Rousi) Tzvelev}}
*''[[Hippophae tibetana]]'' {{Au|Schltdl.}}
[[File:Hippophaë-rhamnoides.JPG|thumb|right|[[Hippophae rhamnoides|Common sea buckthorn]]]]

==Taxonomy and name==
''Hippophae'' is a small genus of Elaeagnaceae having a terminal [[taxon]] with seven [[species]] recognized, as of 2002.<ref name="swenson">{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1756-1051.2002.tb01386.x |title=Taxonomic synopsis of ''Hippophae'' (Elaeagnaceae)|year=2002|last1=Swenson|first1=Ulf|last2=Bartish|first2=Igor V.|journal=Nordic Journal of Botany|volume=22|issue=3|pages=369–374|bibcode=2002NorJB..22..369S |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230075824}}</ref> ''Hippophae rhamnoides'' is a highly variable species with eight subspecies.<ref name=swenson/>

The [[genus name]] ''Hippophae'' comes from [[Ancient Greek]] [[wikt:ἵππος|ἵππος]] (''híppos''), meaning 'horse', and [[wikt:φάος|φάος]] (''pháos''), meaning 'light', and is due to the ancient greeks use of sea buckthorn leaves as horse fodder to make their coats shine more.<ref name="Li-2003">{{cite book|url=http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/book/10.1139/9780660190075#.WX0sYVqGOV4|title=Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.): Production and Utilization|vauthors=Li TS, Beveridge TH|publisher=NRC Research Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-660-19007-5|location=Ottawa, Canada|doi=10.1139/9780660190075|oclc=928553466|doi-broken-date=12 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|vauthors=Li T|year=2002|title= Product development of sea buckthorn (pages 393–398). In: Trends in new crops and new uses|editor=Janick J, Whipkey A|publisher= ASHS Press|location= Alexandria VA| url=https://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5-393.html}}</ref><ref name=Li/>

==Distribution==
[[File:Ripe berries of sea-buckthorn. Selenginsky district, Buryatia, Russia.jpg|thumb|Ripe berries of sea-buckthorn. Selenginsky district, Buryatia, Russia]]
''[[Hippophae rhamnoides]]'', the common sea buckthorn, is the most widespread of the species in the genus, with the ranges of its eight subspecies extending from the [[Atlantic]] coasts of Europe across to northwestern Mongolia, northwestern China and Northern Pakistan.<ref name=Li/><ref name=Bartish>{{cite journal |first1=Igor V.|last1=Bartish |first2=Niklas|last2=Jeppsson|first3=Hilde|last3=Nybom|first4=Ulf|last4=Swenson|year=2002|title=Phylogeny of ''Hippophae'' (Elaeagnaceae) inferred from parsimony analysis of chloroplast DNA and morphology|journal=Systematic Botany|volume=2|issue=1|pages=41–54|jstor=3093894|doi=10.1043/0363-6445-27.1.41|doi-broken-date=1 July 2025}}</ref> In western Europe, it is largely confined to sea coasts where salt spray off the sea prevents other larger plants from outcompeting it. In central Asia, it is more widespread in dry [[semi-desert]] sites where other plants cannot survive the dry conditions.

In central Europe and Asia, it also occurs as a [[sub-alpine]] shrub above the [[tree line]] in mountains, and other sunny areas such as [[Bank (geography)|river bank]]s where it has been used to stabilize [[erosion]].<ref name=Li/> They are tolerant of [[sodium chloride|salt]] in the air and soil, but demand full sunlight for good growth and do not tolerate shady conditions near larger trees. They typically grow in dry, sandy areas.

More than 90% or about {{convert|1500000|ha|acre|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} of the world's natural sea buckthorn [[habitat]] is found in China, Mongolia, Russia, and most parts of Northern Europe.<ref name=Li/>

Sea buckthorn USDA [[hardiness zones]] are about 3 through 7.<ref name=Li/>

In some areas it is considered invasive, due to its ability to outcompete smaller native species.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sea-buckthorn {{!}} The Wildlife Trusts |url=https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/trees-and-shrubs/sea-buckthorn |website=www.wildlifetrusts.org |access-date=12 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Varieties==
Between 1945 and 1991, Soviet and German horticulturists developed new varieties with greater nutritional value, larger berries, different ripening months and branches that are easier to harvest. Over the past 20 years, experimental crops have been grown in the United States, one in [[Nevada]] and one in [[Arizona]], and in several provinces of Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1198782587774&lang=eng |title=Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration Center, Sea-buckthorn: A promising multi-purpose crop for Saskatchewan, January 2008 |website=www4.agr.gc.ca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124174627/http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1198782587774&lang=eng |archive-date=2009-01-24 }}</ref>

==Genetics==
A study of nuclear [[ribosomal]] [[internal transcribed spacer]] sequence data<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/s00606-002-0206-0|year=2002|last1=Sun|first1=K.|last2=Chen|first2=X.|last3=Ma|first3=R.|last4=Li|first4=C.|last5=Wang|first5=Q.|last6=Ge|first6=S.|journal=Plant Systematics and Evolution|volume=235|pages=121–134|title=Molecular phylogenetics of Hippophae L. (Elaeagnaceae) based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nrDNA|issue=1 |bibcode=2002PSyEv.235..121S |s2cid=27312983}}</ref> showed that the genus can be divided into three [[clades]]:
* ''H. tibetana''
* ''H. rhamnoides'' with the exception of ''H. rhamnoides'' ssp. ''gyantsensis'' (=''H. gyantsensis'')
* remaining species

A study using [[chloroplast]] sequences and morphology,<ref name=Bartish/> however, recovered only two clades:
* ''H. tibetana'', ''H. gyantsensis'', ''H. salicifolia'', ''H. neurocarpa''
* ''H. rhamnoides''

==Natural history==
The fruit is an important winter food resource for some birds, notably [[fieldfare]]s.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

Leaves are eaten by the [[larva]] of the coastal race of the [[ash pug]] moth and by larvae of other [[Lepidoptera]], including [[brown-tail]], [[dun-bar]], [[Pavonia pavonia|emperor moth]], [[mottled umber]], and ''[[Coleophora elaeagnisella]]''.

==Uses==
[[File:Hippóphae rhamnoídes.JPG|right|thumb|Common sea buckthorn]]

===Products===
Sea buckthorn berries are edible and nutritious, though [[astringent]], [[sour]], and oily<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1021/jf0484125|pmid=15740060|issn=0021-8561|volume=53|issue=5|pages=1692–1699|last1=Tiitinen|first1=Katja M.|last2=Hakala|first2=Mari A.|last3=Kallio|first3=Heikki P.|title=Quality components of sea buckthorn (''Hippophaë rhamnoides'') varieties|journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry|date=March 2005|bibcode=2005JAFC...53.1692T }}</ref> unless [[bletting|bletted]] ([[frost]]ed to reduce the astringency) and/or mixed as a drink with sweeter substances such as [[apple]] or [[grape]] juice. Additionally, [[malolactic fermentation]] of sea buckthorn juice reduces sourness, enhancing its sensory properties. The mechanism behind this change is transformation of [[malic acid]] into [[lactic acid]] in [[microbial metabolism]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1007/s00217-005-0163-2|issn=1438-2377|volume=222|issue=5–6|pages=686–691|last1=Tiitinen|first1=Katja M.|last2=Vahvaselkä|first2=Marjatta|last3=Hakala|first3=Mari|last4=Laakso|first4=Simo|last5=Kallio|first5=Heikki|title=Malolactic fermentation in sea buckthorn (''Hippophaë rhamnoides'' L.) juice processing |journal=European Food Research and Technology|date=December 2005|s2cid=84226673}}</ref>

When the berries are pressed, the resulting sea buckthorn juice separates into three layers: on top is a thick, orange cream; in the middle, a layer containing sea buckthorn's characteristic high content of [[Saturated fat|saturated]] and [[polyunsaturated fat]]s; and the bottom layer is [[sediment]] and juice.<ref name=Li/><ref name=seglina>{{cite journal|url=http://www.insad.pl/files/journal_pdf/Suppl_2_2006/Suppl_2_full_26_2006.pdf|author=Seglina, D.|display-authors=etal|title=The effect of processing on the composition of sea buckthorn juice|journal=J Fruit Ornamental Plant Res|volume=14|pages=257–63|year=2006|access-date=2007-09-12|archive-date=2008-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528115820/http://www.insad.pl/files/journal_pdf/Suppl_2_2006/Suppl_2_full_26_2006.pdf|url-status=dead}} (Suppl 2)</ref> The upper two layers contain fat sources applicable for cosmetic purposes and can be processed for skin creams and [[liniment]]s, whereas the bottom layer can be used for edible products such as [[syrup]].<ref name=seglina/>

Besides juice, sea buckthorn fruit can be used to make [[pie]]s, [[jam]]s, [[lotion]]s, [[tea]]s, [[fruit wine]]s, and [[liquor]]s.<ref name=Li/> The juice or pulp has other potential applications in foods, beverages or cosmetics products such as shower gel.<ref name="Li">{{cite book |author=Li TSC |year=2002 |title=Trends in new crops and new uses: Product development of sea buckthorn |pages=393–8 |veditors=Janick J, Whipkey A |url=http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/pdf/li.pdf |publisher=ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA |access-date=16 May 2014}}</ref> Fruit drinks were among the earliest sea buckthorn products developed in [[China]]. Sea buckthorn-based juice is common in [[Germany]] and [[Scandinavian countries]]. It provides a beverage rich in [[vitamin C]] and [[carotenoids]].<ref name=Li/> Sea buckthorn berries are also used to produce rich orange-coloured ice-cream, with a melon-type taste and hints of citrus.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://foodrecipeshub.com/recipe/sea-buckthorn-ice-cream-autumn-kiss-recipe/ |title = Sea Buckthorn Ice Cream "Autumn kiss" |author= |year= 2019|publisher = Food Recipes Hub |location= |access-date = 1 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.eis-perfecto.de/en/rezepte/sanddorneis-rezept/ |title = Sea Buckthorn Ice |author= |publisher = Eis Perfecto |location= |access-date = 1 August 2022}}</ref>

For its troops confronting low winter temperatures (see [[Siachen]]), India's [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] established a factory in [[Leh]] to manufacture a multivitamin herbal beverage based on sea buckthorn juice.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leh berries to dot Himalayan deserts by 2020|url=http://jammuandkashmirupdate.com/news/newsdetail%20128.html|access-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008010206/http://jammuandkashmirupdate.com/news/newsdetail%20128.html|archive-date=8 October 2013|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

The seed and pulp oils have nutritional properties that vary under different processing methods.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Cenkowski S|title=Quality of extracted sea buckthorn seed and pulp oil|journal=Canadian Biosystems Engineering|volume=48|issue=3|pages=9–16|year=2006|display-authors=etal}}</ref> [[Sea buckthorn oil]]s are used as a source for ingredients in several commercially available [[Cosmetics|cosmetic]] products and [[nutritional supplements]].<ref name=Li/>

===Landscape uses===
Sea buckthorn may be used as a [[landscaping]] shrub with an aggressive [[basal shoot]] system used for barrier hedges and windbreaks, and to stabilize riverbanks and steep slopes.<ref name=Li/> They have value in northern climates for their landscape qualities, as the colorful berry clusters are retained through winter.<ref name=Li/><ref name="li01">{{cite web |url=http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/publications/documents/seabuckthorn_may2001.pdf|vauthors=Li TS, Oliver A |title=Sea buckthorn factsheet|publisher=British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries|date=May 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528115820/http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/speccrop/publications/documents/seabuckthorn_may2001.pdf|access-date=26 September 2019|archive-date=2008-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Kam|first=B.|author2=N. Bryan|title=The Prairie Winterscape: Creative Gardening for the Forgotten Season|publisher=Fifth House Ltd.|year=2003|pages=[https://archive.org/details/prairiewintersca0000kamb/page/108 108–10]|isbn=978-1-894856-08-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/prairiewintersca0000kamb/page/108}}</ref> Branches may be used by florists for designing ornaments.

In northwestern China, sea buckthorn shrubs have been planted on the bottoms of dry riverbeds to increase water retention of the soil, thus decreasing sediment loss.<ref name=Li/> Due to increased moisture conservation of the soil and nitrogen-fixing capabilities of sea buckthorn, vegetation levels have increased in areas where sea buckthorn have been planted.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.jher.2009.06.001|issn=1570-6443|volume=3|issue=2|pages=77–84|last1=Zhang|first1=Kang|last2=Xu|first2=Mengzhen|last3=Wang|first3=Zhaoyin|title=Study on reforestation with seabuckthorn in the Pisha Sandstone area|journal=Journal of Hydro-environment Research|year=2009|bibcode=2009JHER....3...77Z }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.ecoleng.2014.07.050|issn=0925-8574|volume=71|pages=21–31|last1=Yang|first1=Fang-She|last2=Bi|first2=Ci-Fen|last3=Cao|first3=Ming-Ming|last4=Li|first4=Huai-En|last5=Wang|first5=Xin-Hong|last6=Wu|first6=Wei|title=Simulation of sediment retention effects of the double seabuckthorn plant flexible dams in the Pisha Sandstone area of China|journal=Ecological Engineering|year=2014|bibcode=2014EcEng..71...21Y }}</ref> Sea buckthorn was once distributed free of charge to Canadian prairie farmers by [[Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration|PFRA]] to be used in [[shelterbelt]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www4.agr.gc.ca/resources/prod/doc/prog/shelterbelt-brisevent/pspver5-e.pdf|title=Prairie Shelterbelt Program:Application for Trees|publisher=Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada|year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021070822/http://www4.agr.gc.ca/resources/prod/doc/prog/shelterbelt-brisevent/pspver5-e.pdf|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Folk medicine and research==

Sea buckthorn has been used over centuries in traditional medicine.<ref name=Li/> Although sea buckthorn fruit [[extract]]s are under preliminary research for their [[pharmacology|pharmacological]] effects, there is no [[evidence-based medicine|high-quality clinical evidence]] for the ability of ''Hippophae'' products to lower the risk of human diseases.<ref name="drugs">{{cite web|url=https://www.drugs.com/npp/sea-buckthorn.html|title=Sea buckthorn|date=19 December 2022|publisher=Drugs.com|access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref> As of 2022, no sea buckthorn products are approved as [[prescription drug]]s by any national [[regulatory agency]].<ref name=drugs/>

Berry oil from seeds or fruit pulp, either taken orally as a [[dietary supplement]] or applied [[topical medication|topically]], is believed to be a skin softener or medicine, but there is inadequate clinical evidence of its effectiveness.<ref name=drugs/> There have been no systematic studies of [[toxicity]] and safety for any ''Hippophae'' product.<ref name=drugs/>

==Organizations==
The International Seabuckthorn Association, formerly the International Center for Research and Training on Seabuckthorn (ICRTS), was formed jointly in 1988 by the China Research and Training Center on Seabuckthorn, the Seabuckthorn Office of the Yellow River Water Commission, and the Shaanxi Seabuckthorn Development Office. From 1995 to 2000, ICRTS published the research journal, ''Hippophae'', which appears to be no longer active.

In 2005–2007, the "EAN-Seabuck" network between [[European Union]] states, China, Russia and [[New Independent States]] was funded by the [[European Commission]] to promote sustainable crop and consumer product development.<ref name="EAN-SEABUCK-report">{{cite web |title=Final Report Summary - EAN-SEABUCK |url=https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/16106/reporting |website=CORDIS - EU Research results |publisher=European Commission |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>

In Mongolia, there is an active National Association of Seabuckthorn Cultivators and Producers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ichinkhorloo |title=Result of GAP analysis beyond the organic Seabuckthorn value chain |date=24 January 2017 |url=https://issuu.com/temuulen7/docs/gap_analysis_report_of_the_seabuckt |access-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Sea buckthorn oil]]
*[[Wolfberry]], a native Asian plant occasionally mistaken for sea buckthorn

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite book|author1=Beveridge, Thomas H. J.|author2=Li, Thomas S. C.|title=Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) production and utilization|publisher=NRC Research Press|location=Ottawa|year=2003|isbn=978-0-660-19007-5|url=http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/9780660190075.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225154101/http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/9780660190075.html|archive-date=2007-12-25}}
*[https://www.ontario.ca/page/introduction-sea-buckthorn Todd, J. Introduction to sea-buckthorn, Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, August, 2022]

==External links==
{{NIE Poster|year=1905|Swallowthorn}}
*[https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/HIPPO4 United States Department of Agriculture Seaberry Profile]
*[http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hippophae%20rhamnoides Plants for a Future]
*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Hippophae_rhamnoides_nex.html Purdue University list of articles]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q5686857}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hippophae| ]]
[[Category:Berries]]
[[Category:Dioecious plants]]
[[Category:Flora of Europe]]
[[Category:Flora of Western Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of Central Asia]]
[[Category:Flora of West Himalaya]]
[[Category:Nitrogen-fixing crops]]
[[Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]

Hippophae - Revision history

Kartikshina85855 at 04:16, 10 January 2026