Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Russian Olive:
- Phonetic Spelling
- el-ee-AG-nus an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Russian olive is a deciduous shrub in the oleander family that is native to Asia, Russia and India. It is a large thorny shrub or small tree, that has a rounded form but can get leggy with a loose and irregular form. It can grow up to 30 feet tall. The species was introduced into North America in the late 19th century as an ornamental but quickly spread over a large area due to an aggressive root system, fast growth rate and spread of the seeds by birds.
The plant grows in full sun and prefers a light sandy or loamy soil but it will tolerate a range of soil types as it is able to fix nitrogen. It is drought and salt-spray tolerant but dislikes the summer heat. The leaves and stems are covered in silvery or rusty scales and the summer flowers are aromatic and cream-colored. They are followed by silvery fruits. The plant does tolerate pruning, but keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on old growth.
Russian olive out-competes native plants and has dominated riparian areas primarily in central and western USA but is also found on the east coast from Maine to SC and east to PA and TN.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Canker disease is occasionally a problem. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. See native alternatives to the left.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Elaeagnus
- Species:
- angustifolia
- Family:
- Elaeagnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- An essential oil obtained from the flowers of this plant is often used in perfumes. A gum comes from this plant that is used in the textile industry.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Russia, India
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits attract birds.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Achene but appears drupe-like because of a fleshy outer hypanthium. They resemble olives are 1/2" silver in late summer turning red in the fall from August-October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Description:
- Small, fragrant, silvery-white to yellow tubular flowers in late spring to early summer April-June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Silver-gray to gray-green leaves that hold late into fall. Lanceolate in shape with entire margins and silvery scales on both sides. They are 1.5- 4 inches long and 2/3 to 1 inch wide.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The young branches are silvery while the older branches are brown. They are occasionally thorny and covered with scales.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
