Sea buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
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Photo credit: Encyclopaedia Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/plant/sea-buckthorn#/media/1/530501/114636
Hippophae rhamnoides - Sea buckthorn
Habitat:
- Sand dunes, cliffs and coastal areas
- Shrubland, wetlands and rocky areas
Description:
- Large shrub that grows to around 6m in height
- It has small yellow-green flowers and bright orange berries on female plants
- There must be both male and female plants or no berries are produced
Origin and Distribution:
- Native to Europe and Aisa
- Introduced to north America
Impacts:
- Outcompete native plants by shading
- Grows in areas other plants can’t, changing the dune structure
Is it found in Northern Ireland?
- It is found in Northern Ireland. Distribution maps can be found at NBN Atlas Northern Ireland
How did it get here?
- Brought in to stabilise dunes and as an ornamental garden plant
- Has some medicinal uses
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App.
Prevent Spread
- Promote native species and biodiversity - use alternative, native plants
- Know what you are buying/growing and source native Irish seed and plants
- Do not swap plants and cuttings
- Follow control advice and watch out for hitchhikers - inspect new imported purchases for invasive pest and pathogens
- Never collect plants from the wild
- Safe disposal of plant material and growing media
- Report all sightings.
Current Legislation Position (Northern Ireland only):
- Hippophae rhamnoides is listed in Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and as such, under Article 15 it is an offence to plant or otherwise cause this species to grow in the wild.