Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia L.
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Elaeagnus angustifolia is a shrub or small tree that can grow to 35 ft. (10 m) tall. The young branches are silvery while the older branches are brown. They are occasionally thorny and covered with scales.
- Foliage
- The leaves are simple, alternate and lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate. They are 1-4 in. (3-10 cm) long and have silver scales on both sides.
- Flowers
- The fragrant flowers are 0.5-0.6 in. (1.2-1.5 cm) wide, silvery outside and yellow within. There are 1-3 flowers within the leaf axils. They appear in May to June.
- Fruit
- The fruit are 0.4 in. (1 cm) long, are yellow and almost completely covered by densely silver scales. The fruit contain one large seed that can be up to 0.4 in. (1 cm) long within.
- Ecological Threat
- Although Elaeagnus angustifolia is not considered to be invasive in New England at this time, in the western part of the United States it is considered invasive as well as a noxious weed in some states. It grows especially well in riparian situations and has been documented as out-competing the native plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides). It has been planted along roads and highways in New England because of its drought and salt tolerance. Nitrogen-fixing nodules allow this plant to survive in adverse conditions. Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata), its invasive relative, has a similar biology and is already widely invasive in New England.
Resources
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Weed Field Guide - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images from Invasive.org
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Fruit(s) Summer
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s) Stem. Summer
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage Spring
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Bark Winter
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation Fish Lake National Forest, Utah
J. Scott Peterson, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
J. Scott Peterson, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage