Editing Elaeagnus latifolia

'''So-Shang''' ('''''Elaeagnus latifolia'''''; also So-Shang; Indian oleaster; broad-leaved oleaster) is a Elaeagnaceae fruit plant grown for its drupe-like fruit.

{| class="wikitable" style="float: right; width: 400px; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"
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| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Elaeagnus latifolia (bastard oleaster) 2.jpg|thumb|center|250px|Elaeagnus latifolia fruit, flower, or plant habit. Wikimedia Commons file page.]]
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! colspan="2" style="background: #e8e8e8;" | So-Shang (''Elaeagnus latifolia '')
|-
! Scientific name
|| ''Elaeagnus latifolia''
|-
! Genus
|| [[Elaeagnus]]
|-
! Family
|| [[Elaeagnaceae]]
|-
! Order
|| [[Rosales]]
|-
! Fruit type
|| Drupe-like fruit
|-
! Growth form
|| Evergreen shrub or small tree
|-
! Climate and hardiness
|| Subtropical to tropical highland; tolerates some cool weather
|-
! Mature height
|| 3–8 m
|-
! Mature width
|| 3–6 m
|-
! Soil
|| Well-drained soil, including poorer or acidic ground; avoid stagnant wetness
|-
! Water
|| Moderate moisture; more during establishment and fruiting
|-
! Sun
|| Full sun to light shade
|-
! Germination
|| Fresh seed; seed may be slow and variable
|-
! Years to fruit
|| Several years from seed; grafted timing not widely standardized
|-
! Pollination
|| Insect-pollinated; plant behavior varies by seed source
|-
! Harvest
|| Regional warm-season crop, often during spring or early summer
|}

== Identification and description ==
So-Shang is an Asian Elaeagnus grown for oblong red fruits with a tart, aromatic flavor. It is a niche fruit for collectors and warm-climate growers and should not be confused with the common ornamental oleasters.

The accepted genus, family, and order are [[Elaeagnus]], [[Elaeagnaceae]], and [[Rosales]]. Common names may cover related taxa; check the scientific name before transferring cultivation advice.

== Growing ==
So-Shang is a broad-leaved oleaster of warm Asian forest margins. Its fruiting habit is better suited to warm subtropical conditions than hard-freezing sites; use fertile, well-drained soil and shelter from drying wind.

The species occurs in humid subtropical and tropical regions, often in upland or forest-edge conditions. It appreciates organic matter and drainage, but its nitrogen-fixing relatives can give the impression that it needs little care; fruiting plants still benefit from regular moisture and sun.

=== Soil ===
Well-drained soil, including poorer or acidic ground; avoid stagnant wetness.

=== Sun and humidity ===
Full sun to light shade. Native habitat and airflow matter as much as light intensity; avoid enclosing humid foliage without ventilation.

=== Seasonal changes ===
Native populations experience warm wet seasons and a cooler or drier interval. Flowering and fruiting are seasonal outside the equatorial tropics. Keep young plants protected from hard freezes and avoid heavy irrigation during cool weather.

== Propagation ==
Seed is the common route, though seedlings vary. Explore clonal propagation only from documented superior plants because vernacular names and nursery labels can cover more than one Elaeagnus taxon.

== Flowering, fruiting, and harvest ==
Regional warm-season crop, often during spring or early summer. Flowering and ripening are strongly affected by latitude, cultivar, rootstock, rainfall, and temperature; local records are more useful than a single universal calendar.

== Fruit and uses ==
The tart fruit is eaten fresh when fully colored and can be made into preserves, sauces, beverages, and mixed-fruit products. It is mainly grown as a specialty fruit rather than a large commercial crop.


== Commentary ==
Growers are invited to share observations about So-Shang on the [[Talk:Elaeagnus latifolia|talk page]], especially climate, provenance, propagation method, plant age, flowering season, and fruit quality.


== Photos ==

The images above show documented fruit, flower, or plant-habit views. See the individual Commons file pages in the image credits for authorship and license details.

== Sources ==
* [https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Elaeagnus+latifolia Useful Tropical Plants: Elaeagnus latifolia]
* [https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elaeagnus%20latifolia Plants For A Future: Elaeagnus latifolia]



== Image credits ==

* [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elaeagnus_latifolia_(bastard_oleaster)_2.jpg Elaeagnus latifolia (bastard oleaster) 2.jpg] — Wikimedia Commons file page; creator and license are recorded on the source page.

[[Category:Fruits]]
[[Category:Elaeagnaceae]]
[[Category:Elaeagnus]]