Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnus multiflora
oleaster, olivier de bohême, Russian silverberry, Russian-olive
cherry elaeagnus or silver-berry, cherry silverberry, gumi, natsugumi
usually armed, with thornlike lateral branches, densely silvery-scaly when young, scales reddish brown in age, glabrate.
unarmed, with gray or reddish gray scales.
deciduous (often tardily);
blade lanceolate-linear to narrowly elliptic, 3–8(–10) × 0.5–1.5 cm, length 3–8 times width, surfaces silvery and densely stellate-hairy.
deciduous;
blade broadly lanceolate or cuneate, 1–2.5(–5) × 1–1.5(–3) cm, surfaces silvery abaxially, also with scattered, brown scales, glabrous or sparsely stellate-hairy, green adaxially.
solitary or 2 or 3 in clusters;
hypanthium funnelform, 3.5–6 mm distal to constriction;
calyx silver-green abaxially, yellow adaxially, 3–5 mm;
nectary disc conspicuous, forming thick cylinders around styles.
solitary or paired;
hypanthium broadly flared, 6–7 mm distal to constriction;
calyx cream, 4.5–6 mm, lobes with brown scales outside, glabrous inside;
nectary disc conspicuous.
pale green, ovoid or ellipsoid, (8–)10–15(–20) mm, densely white-scaly and succulent, becoming dull orange-yellow and dry in age.
bright red with silver flecks, oblong, 10–15(–25) mm, sparsely pubescent.
= 24, 28.
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnus multiflora
Elaeagnus angustifolia was originally planted as an ornamental and as a windbreak and for erosion control; it has become weedy along waterways and in disturbed areas, especially in the western United States. The roots grow to great depths and, because the plants are heavy users of water, they are known to lower dramatically the water table. Russian olive is globally invasive and is spreading in arid regions. Where it lacks competition from other trees, it forms dense thickets that exclude most other vegetation.
The fruit is somewhat succulent when young but quickly becomes dry and mealy; it is sweet and edible, and is widely dispersed by birds. The plant is prone to diseases such as leaf spot, canker, rust, and Verticillum wilt in humid areas (M. A. Dirr 2009). Two varieties, var. angustifolia and var. orientalis (Linnaeus) Kuntze, have been recognized. The dried, powdered fruits are reportedly mixed with milk for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Elaeagnus multiflora is similar to E. umbellata and may have been overlooked in some locations; it is distinguished by a calyx tube and limb that are more or less equal in length, and fruits on elongated pedicels. The species has been grown as an ornamental in Utah but, apparently, has not become naturalized in the western United States.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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