Gardening with Tropical Fruit

The Lingaro

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

The Lingaro (Elaeagnus philippensis) is native to the Philippine islands and is a climbing vine or can be trained into an attractive evergreen shrub. Height at maturity is usually about 10 to 15 feet and may have a diameter of up to 20 feet or more.

The leaves are small, oblong and pointed and are light green above and silvery underneath. All new growth and buds are an attractive bronze or rusty color. Tiny yellow flowers in small clusters appear on the new growth from January until March and these are quickly followed by 3/4 inch pink or pale red fruit that are shaped like a small olive.

At maturity they are thin skinned and contain a single seed surrounded by firm but juicy flesh. They can be eaten out of hand, but many people prefer using the fruit for making a highly colored jelly. Fruits are produced throughout most of the spring months and the lingaro is adapted for most soil types.

Propagation is usually by seeds which germinate in 2 to 3 weeks or they can also be rooted from cuttings. There have been no named varieties or selections made by the nursery industry, although some variations do exist.

The lingaro can be trained to grow on a fence or trellis or kept trimmed tightly as a hedge. It does well on most types of soils, but responds well to good cultural practices.

Plants are quite cold hardy and are never injured by winter conditions.