Elaeagnus angustifolia
Russian-olive

 This plant is considered invasive.

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Yellow (Fragrant silvery-yellow flowers in late spring, but somewhat hidden by foliage)
 Foliage Notes:
Silver (Gray-green foliage with whitish, scaly tomentum creating a silver-gray effect; no fall color)
 Fruit Notes:
Yellow (Silvery-yellow berries coated with silver scales are quite ornamental when abundant in fall)
 Ultimate Height:
12-15 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
12-15 feet
 Soil Notes:
Widely adapted to a variety of soils and environments
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves alternate, simple, linear-lanceolate (willow-like), 1-3" long and 0.3-0.6" wide, dull green above and silvery below. Round buds have 4 exposed silvery scales. Young stems have thorns.

Additional Information

Widely adaptable and invasive plant in the Midwest. Like other members of the family, fixes atmospheric nitrogen. Can be a large shrub or small tree. Spreads by rooting suckers. Especially tolerant of extreme cold and drought, but does not tolerate extreme heat of the south. Verticillium wilt and stem canker may be a problem in some areas. Needs some pruning to keep vigorous and in good form. Berries used to make sherbet in some parts of eastern Asia.

Other plants like this Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian-olive)

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2025 Purdue University | An equal access/equal opportunity university | Integrity Statement | Copyright Complaints | Maintained by the Purdue Arboretum
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us