Russian-olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia, Sp. Pl.: 121 (1753))

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 121 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Elaeagnus

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Europe to Temp. Asia

Description

The Russian-olive, scientifically known as Elaeagnus angustifolia, is a remarkable and resilient species originally described in Species Plantarum by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. This plant is a member of the Elaeagnaceae family and is native to regions extending from Eastern Europe to temperate parts of Asia.

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a deciduous shrub or small tree, typically growing to heights of 8-10 meters. One of its most distinguishing features is its grey-green, lanceolate leaves, which are covered with silvery scales that give the plant a distinctive sheen. The bark is smooth and gray when young, gradually becoming furrowed and dark as the plant matures.

During the spring and early summer, the Russian-olive produces small, fragrant, yellowish flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators. These blossoms eventually give way to clusters of fruit that are oval and drupe-like with a silver coating. The fruits are edible and have been historically used in traditional medicine and as a food source in various cultures.

Known for its hardiness, this species thrives in a variety of soil conditions, including poor, sandy, or alkaline soils, and it is particularly tolerant of drought and saline environments. This adaptability has allowed Elaeagnus angustifolia to become naturalized in many parts of the world outside its native range.

However, the Russian-olive has also garnered a reputation as an invasive species in certain areas, particularly in North America. Its ability to grow prolifically and outcompete native vegetation has led to ecological concerns, prompting measures for its control and management in these regions.

Despite these challenges, the Russian-olive remains an important species for ornamental purposes and ecological restoration, particularly in dry and eroded lands where its robust nature helps stabilize the soil and improve habitat conditions.

In summary, Elaeagnus angustifolia, the Russian-olive, is a multifaceted plant with a rich history and significant ecological impact. Its resilience and adaptability make it both a beneficial and, in some contexts, problematic presence, reflecting the complex interplay between plant species and their environments.

Common Names

Fra: chalef, olivier de bohême
Eng: oleaster, russian olive, russian-olive, trebizond-date, russian elaeagnus, elaeagnus
Pol: oliwnik wąskolistny
Deu: schmalblättrige ölweide
Dan: smalbladet sølvblad
Nld: smalle olijfwilg
Spa: armuelle de fruto carnoso, azufaifo blanco, cinamomo, metapolilla, olivo de bohemia, panji, panjino, árbol del paraiso, árbol del paraíso
Ces: hlošina úzkolistá
Hun: keskenylevelű ezüstfa
Ell: moschoitia, tzitzifia, zizyfia
Swe: smalbladig silverbuske
Por: árvore-do-paraíso
Lav: šaurlapu eleagns
Nob: smalsølvbusk, smalbladet sølvbusk
Nno: smalsølvbusk
En: Russian-olive, Oleaster, Trebizond-date, Russian olive, Eastern Oleaster, Sweet Olive, Russian silverberry, Russian elaeagnus, Elaeagnus
Ar: خلاف ضيق الأوراق
Hy: Փշատենի նեղատերև
Az: Daryarpaq iydə
Eu: Olibo zume
Be: Лох вузкалісты
Bg: Миризлива върба
Ca: Arbre del paradís
Zh: Sha zao, 沙枣
Hr: Dafina
Cs: Hlošina úzkolistá
Da: Smalbladet Sølvblad
Nl: Smalle olijfwilg
Et: Ahtalehine hõbepuu
Fi: Idänhopeapensas
Fr: Chalef, Olivier de Bohême, Arbre de paradis, Olivier de bohème, Arbre d’argent
Gl: Árbore do paraíso
De: Schmalblättrige Ölweide, Paradiesbaum, Schmalblättige Ölweide, Wüsten Ölweide
El: Moschoitia, Tzitzifia, Zizyfia
He: יצהרון מכסיף
Hu: Keskenylevelű ezüstfa
It: Olivagno, Eleagno, Olivo di Boemia
Kk: Үшкіржеміс жидесі
Lv: Šaurlapu eleagns
Lt: Siauralapis žilakrūmis
Mk: Дафина
No: Smalsølvbusk
Nb: Smalsølvbusk, Smalbladet sølvbusk
Nn: Smalsølvbusk
Ps: سنځله
Fa: سنجد
Pl: Oliwnik wąskolistny
Pt: Árvore-do-paraíso
Ro: Sălcioară
Ru: Loch uzkolistvennyj, Лох узколистный
Sr: Дафина
Sk: Hlošina úzkolistá
Es: Panjino, Olivo de Bohemia, Árbol del paraíso, Armuelle de fruto carnoso, Azufaifo blanco, Cinamomo, Metapolilla, Panji, Árbol del paraiso, Olivo del Paraíso, Paraíso, Olivo
Sv: Smalbladig silverbuske
Zh-tw: 沙棗
Zh-hant: 沙棗
Tr: Kuş iğdesi
Uk: Маслинка вузьколиста
Uz: Jiyda

Synonyms

• Elaeagnus spinosa (L.)
• Elaeagnus longipes var. hortensis ((M.Bieb.) Maxim.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis subsp. continentalis (Servett.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis var. igda (Servett.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis subsp. littoralis (Servett.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis var. microcarpa (Servett.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis subsp. moorcroftii ((Wall. ex Schltdl.) Servett.)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. orientalis ((L.) Kuntze)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia subsp. orientalis ((L.) Soják)
• Elaeagnus inermis (Mill.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis subsp. songarica ((Bernh. ex Schltdl.) Servett.)
• Elaeagnus dactyliformis (Schltdl.)
• Elaeagnus litoralis ((Servett.) Kozlowsk.)
• Elaeagnus incana (Lam.)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. biebersteiniana (Kuntze)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. spinosa ((L.) Kuntze)
• Elaeagnus caspica ((Sosn.) Grossh.)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. caspica (Sosn.)
• Elaeagnus moorcroftii (Wall. ex Schltdl.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis var. songarica (Bernh. ex Schltdl.)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. iliensis (Musch.)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. normalis (Kuntze)
• Elaeagnus igda ((Servett.) Tzvelev)
• Elaeagnus tifliensis (Vis.)
• Elaeagnus tomentosa (Moench)
• Elaeagnus hortensis (M.Bieb.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis var. dactyliformis (Loudon)
• Elaeagnus angustifolia var. turcica (Yıld.)
• Elaeagnus orientalis (L.)
• Elaeagnus erivanensis (Fisch. ex Schltdl.)
• Elaeagnus turcomanica (Kozlowsk.)
• Elaeagnus songarica ((Bernh. ex Schltdl.) Schltdl.)
• Elaeagnus songarica var. kozlovskajae (Tzvelev)
• Elaeagnus multiflora var. hortensis ((M.Bieb.) Servett.)
• Elaeagnus hortensis var. orientalis ((L.) Loudon)
• Elaeagnus oxycarpa (Schltdl.)
• Elaeagnus iliensis ((Musch.) Musch.)
• Elaeagnus oxycarpa var. microcarpa ((Servett.) Tzvelev)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Altay (native)
• Assam (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Albania (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 19, 2021 by Benito Soto Fernando (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Ramona Grizhar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2019 by Eugenio Valdelvira (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 10, 2018 by Emmanuel Breton-Belz (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by Annika K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by Annika K (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2022 by Dimitris (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by Malte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 20, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2021 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2022 by Pablo Herrador (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2021 by robinpbt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2019 by massimo barchi massimo barchi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2020 by fuego (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3039269)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:323646-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Elaeagnus angustifolia L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 9.5

Ph minimum: 6.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 5