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Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Summary 6

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a thorny, small tree that commonly grows between 5-7 meters. It originates from Eurasia and common names include Russian olive, silver berry, oleaster, or wild olive.

Botanical Information 7

The scientific name for the Russian olive is Elaeagnus angustifolia, and other common names include the Persian olive, silver berry, oleaster, or the wild olive. The Russian olive is a quickly maturing tree that can grow as tall as 10 to 25 feet. The trunk and branches are light brown, shiny, and have thorns that are 1-2 inches in length. The upper surface of the leaf has a mint to dark green color and is covered with tiny white hairs, giving the leaf a faded appearance. The lower surface of the leaf has a light grey color and is densely coated with scales.

The flowers of the Russian olive bloom in between May and June. They are yellow, very fragrant, are 1.5 centimeters wide, and arranged in clusters of 1-3. The fruit are white when first formed, yellow or light green when they are young, and brown or dark red when they are matured. They are olive-shaped, 1 cm long, produced in large quantities, and are edible and sweet-tasting. The seeds inside the fruit are rather large and can be almost 1 centimeter in length. The fruits form from August to October and can last throughout the winter.

Ecological Information 8

The Russian olive is a fast-spreading plant not native to the US, but is commonly found in the U.S. and other places like Germany. In its native territories of Europe and Asia, it can be found in a wide range of habitats, from mountainous terrains and grass plains to deserts and other dry areas. In its non-native territories, like here in the Bosque, it can be found growing next to river banks, streams, marshes, floodplains, and irrigation ditches. It is an extremely invasive plant species in the riparian areas of the western United States where it is able to thrive in poor soil. In addition, it has high seedling survival rates and grows quickly to out-compete the native vegetation. Although it helps to fix nitrogen in the soil, it is associated with a decrease in the biodiversity of the Rio Grande bosque.

The Russian olive’s fruit are a good source of nutrients and are often eaten by birds and other mammals. Deer and livestock will often eat the leaves of the plant and beavers will use the fallen branches for constructing dams. Mocking birds, roadrunners, doves, and other birds use the branches as nesting sites. Wildlife will often use the tree as a good thermal shelter as well.

Ethnobotanical Information 6

Various parts of the Russian olive can be used in medicine to treat a wide range of conditions. Based on recent research it has promising use in anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, and anti-tussive medicine, as well as in joint and arthritic pain relievers and wound healing medicine. There are clinical trials that even suggest that Russian olive is as effective as ibuprofen when used for relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. The sweet-tasting fruit of the Russian olive is eaten and sold in markets in various cultures. The fruit is consumed both fresh and dried in Turkey, Iran, and Greece. They are often used in alcoholic drinks and preserves such as marmalade. The flowers of the plant are used as well, usually for flavoring various liquors.

References 6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaeagnus_angustifolia
https://www3.northern.edu/natsource/TREESA1/Russia1.htm

“Russian Olive.” North Dakota State Government, https://www.nd.gov/ndda/sites/default/files/legacy/resource/RUSSIANOLIVE.pdf

“Russian Olive.” Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, October 2018, https://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=3022

Pasiecznik, Nick. Weyl, Philip. “Elaegnus Angustifolia (Russian Olive).” CABI: Invasive Species Compendium, January 18, 2018, https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/20717#touses

Collins, Emily. “Russian Olive: Introduced Species Summary Project.” Edited by James A. Danoff-Burg, Columbia University, March 6, 2002, http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Elaeagnus_angustifolia.htm

Dara, Saville. (2021). The Ecology of Herbal Medicine, A Guide to Plants and Living Landscapes of the American Southwest. Albuquerque, New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press.

About the Author 9

Student author(s)*: Devyn (5th grader) and Leoncio (Kindergartener) from Chinook Spirit Children’s Academy and unknown author from Menaul School.

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/42016325634/
  2. (c) Andrey Zharkikh, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/zharkikh/6645593715/
  3. (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/74738817@N07/36511142724/
  4. (c) chinookspirit, all rights reserved
  5. (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/4970791898/
  6. Adapted by Hannah from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
  7. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaeagnus_angustifolia
  8. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) kaifahrlender, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
  9. Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) caseynm, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

Range Map

(c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC)

iNat Map

Color yellow
Leaf silver
Type tree
Uses edible, medicinal
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