Spiny oleaster (Elaeagnus pungens, J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14: 164 (1784))

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Author: Thunb.

Bibliography: J.A.Murray, Syst. Veg. ed. 14: 164 (1784)

Year: 1784

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Elaeagnus

Vegetable: False

Observations: EC. & SE. China, S. Korea (Mt. Miruk), SC. & S. Japan

Description

Spiny oleaster, known by its scientific name Elaeagnus pungens, is a distinguished member of the Elaeagnaceae family. This hardy shrub was first classified by the esteemed botanist Thunb., with its initial description appearing in J.A. Murray’s “Systema Vegetabilium,” Edition 14, page 164, published in 1784.

Native to various regions in East and Southeast Asia, Spiny oleaster flourishes in the diverse climates of East and Southeast China, South Korea, specifically in Mt. Miruk, as well as Southcentral and Southern Japan. The plant is notable for its robust adaptability to its native environments.

Elaeagnus pungens is characterized by its spiny branches and dense, evergreen foliage. The leaves are typically silvery on the underside, which assists in reflecting sunlight and conserving moisture—an adaptation advantageous to the plant’s survival in its native habitats. The shrub produces small, fragrant flowers that bloom in inconspicuous clusters and later give way to edible, berry-like fruits that attract various forms of wildlife.

In landscaping, Spiny oleaster is valued for its resilience and is often used for creating protective hedges or natural barriers. Its ability to cope with poor soil conditions, coupled with its resistance to pests and diseases, makes it an excellent choice for sustainable gardening practices.

Elaeagnus pungens plays a role not only in horticulture but also in ecological maintenance, providing habitat and nourishment for a range of species. This unassuming yet vital plant continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and gardeners alike, who appreciate its unique characteristics and contributions to biodiversity.

Common Names

Eng: thorny olive, spiny oleaster, thorny elaeagnus
Deu: dornige ölweide
Por: oleagno, oleastro
Swe: vintersilverbuske
Nld: stekelige olijfwilg
En: Spiny oleaster, Thorny olive, Thorny-olive, Oleaster, Thorny elaeagnus
Af: Bont oleaster
Zh: Hu tui zi, 胡頹子
Nl: Stekelige olijfwilg
Fr: Oléastre épineux
De: Dornige Ölweide, Gelbbunte Ölweide
It: Eleagno, Olivagno
Ja: Nawashiro-gumi
Fa: سنجد زینتی
Pt: Oleagno, Oleastro
Ru: Лох колючий
Sv: Vintersilverbuske
Zh-tw: 胡頹子

Synonyms

• Elaeagnus pungens var. aurea (Servett.)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. aurea ((Servett.) Rehder)
• Elaeagnus obtusa (C.Y.Chang)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. frederici-variegata ((Ilsemann) Rehder)
• Elaeagnus frederici-variegata (Ilsemann)
• Elaeagnus pungens subsp. simonii ((Carrière) Servett.)
• Elaeagnus variegata (J.R.Duncan & V.C.Davies)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. simonii ((Carrière) G.Nicholson)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. maculata ((H.J.Veitch) Rehder)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. frederici ((Bean) Rehder)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. frederici (Bean)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. maculata (H.J.Veitch)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. aureovariegata (Bean)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. variegata (Rehder)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. rotundifolia (Servett.)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. variegata ((Bean) Rehder)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. megaphylla ((Araki) Sugim.)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. angustifolia ((Araki) Sugim.)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. angustifolia (Araki)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. megaphylla (Araki)
• Elaeagnus simonii (Carrière)
• Elaeagnus pungens f. rotundifolia ((Servett.) H.Hara)
• Elaeagnus pungens var. latifolia (Honda)
• Elaeagnus sinensis (Koehne)

Distribution

• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Oct 11, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2022 by Arleta perrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 10, 2022 by jacques Gattepaille (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2021 by Sabra Mahdaoui (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2017 by patricia leroy (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 11, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2020 by Hugues Le Paige (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 19, 2019 by Gilles Gilles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2021 by Sabra Mahdaoui (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 24, 2021 by herbier jeje (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by claude claude (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2020 by annalì (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2022 by Lucky Lance Alcott (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel PANSIOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Irene Boninsegna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 27, 2020 by claude claude (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2019 by Alice Mondineu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2019 by anna sala (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by rafida (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by clajul (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 7, 2022 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Sergio-OMA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2022 by Giacomo Sellan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2022 by Joseph Dupont (cc-by-sa)

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3039270)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:927283-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Elaeagnus pungens Thunb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth