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Russian-olive Elaeagnus angustifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
el-ee-AG-nus an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

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:
Tags:
#thorns#small tree#invasive#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#silvery#silver leaves#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#high maintenance#fast growing#salt spray tolerant#aggressive#red fruits#star shaped flowers#food source summer#deciduous tree#food source fall#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#small tree#invasive#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#silvery#silver leaves#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#high maintenance#fast growing#salt spray tolerant#aggressive#red fruits#star shaped flowers#food source summer#deciduous tree#food source fall#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Fine
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Spines/Thorns
    Weedy