Skip to main content
FNAI logo, butterfly on a palm frond.

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Common Name: Russian olive

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3a - 8b

Growth Habit: Shrub or small tree

Origin: Southern Europe and western Asia

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: Introduced in US late 1800's, not established in Florida

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: HIGH INVASION RISK
  • Central: HIGH INVASION RISK
  • South: HIGH INVASION RISK
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Description

Large deciduous shrub or small tree to 25 m tall. Bark reddish and shredding. Leaves alternate, silver-gray, lance-shaped. Fragrant yellow flowers in leaf axils. Flowers late spring. Fruit hard, olive-like.

Habitat

Riparian areas, stream banks, lake shores, prairies

Comments

Established nationwide but not yet vouchered in FL. Could be climate limited but would be good to keep out of state. Fixes nitrogen.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: NA
  • Chemical: Cut-stump (glyphosate, MDNR or 50% triclopyr ester, Katz and Shafroth), basal bark (triclopyr ester, MDNR),
  • Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Dave's Garden. 2013. PlantFiles: Silver Russian olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64661/. Accessed on December 9, 2013.

Katz, G.L. and Shafroth, P.B. 2003. Biology, ecology and management of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Russian olive) in western North America. Wetlands 23(4): 763-777.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). 2013. Invasive Terrestrial Plants - Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia). http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/russianolive.html. Accessed on December 9, 2013.

University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. 2013. BugwoodWiki: Elaeagnus angustifolia. http://wiki.bugwood.org/Elaeagnus_angustifolia. Accessed on December 9, 2013.

Print Friendly Version