Montana Silverberry (Elaeagnus montana)

Family: Elaeagnaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Elaeagnus montana is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a medium rate. It is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw, if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent. The ovoid-ellipsoid fruit is about 1 cm long and contains a single large seed. Seed - raw or cooked. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw, if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent.; The ovoid-ellipsoid fruit is about 1 cm long and contains a single large seed.; Seed - raw or cooked.

Habitat & North American Range

In deciduous broad-leaved forests at high elevations in the mountains. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)