Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnus umbellata
oleaster, olivier de bohême, Russian silverberry, Russian-olive
autumn-olive, Japanese silverberry, oleaster
usually armed, with thornlike lateral branches, densely silvery-scaly when young, scales reddish brown in age, glabrate.
armed when young, unarmed when older, silvery-green becoming densely brown-scaly in age.
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 elliptic or ovate, (2–)3–8(–10) × 1–2.5 cm, margins entire or ± wavy, surfaces silvery-scaly abaxially, sparsely pubescent, dark green, glossy 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.
densely clustered, 3+, appearing to encircle stems;
hypanthium narrowly funnelform, 7–8 mm distal to constriction;
calyx yellow to cream-white, 3.5–4 mm, calyx lobes with silver 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 or pink, ovoid, 6–8 mm, fleshy, lepidote.
= 24, 28.
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnus umbellata
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.)
The flowers of Elaeagnus umbellata are more densely clustered and umbel-like than in other species of the genus in the flora area. Originally introduced for soil conservation and as food for wildlife, it is not considered a good plant for home landscapes because it has a tendency to become weedy (M. A. Dirr 2009). The species thrives in acidic or basic soils and birds spread the seeds.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
- Local floras:
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OR, 
WA - Local Web sites: CalFlora, CalPhotos,
Flora NW, 
Go Botany, 
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LA Plants, 
MD Biodiversity, 
MI Flora, 
MN Wildflowers, 
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WildflowerSearch
iNaturalist (observations)
USDA Plants Database- LBJ Wildflower Center
- SEINet
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- Wikipedia
- Google Image Search
- Local floras: BC, OR, WA
- Local Web sites: Flora NW, Go Botany, IL Wildflowers, KS Wildflowers, LA Plants, MD Biodiversity, MI Flora, MO Plants, PNW Herbaria
- WildflowerSearch
- iNaturalist (observations)
- USDA Plants Database
- LBJ Wildflower Center
- SEINet
- Plants of the World Online
- Encyclopedia of Life
- Wikipedia
- Google Image Search
