Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Eudicots: Core Eudicots: Rosids: Fabids: Rosales
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Elaeagnus angustifolia
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
Go to FSUS key
Dig deeper at SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria.
Check out EDDMapS.org to see where this has been reported.
Read more about Russian Olive at Vascular Plants of North Carolina.
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Elaeagnus angustifolia
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
COMMON NAME:
Russian Olive, Oleaster
To see larger pictures, click or hover over the thumbnails.
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USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / US Forest Service pnd_elan_010_lhd
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Bruce A. Sorrie bas_e_angustifolia1
June Routt County CO
Leaves 3-8x long as wide; leaves with only silver scales beneath, per Weakley's Flora (2015).
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Bruce A. Sorrie bas_e_angustifolia1b
June Routt County CO
Flowers fragrant, short-pedicelled, in small lateral clusters, per Trees of the Southeastern United States (Duncan & Duncan, 1988).
)
Bruce A. Sorrie bas_e_angustifolia2
June Routt County CO
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Elaeagnus angustifolia
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Elaeagnus angustifolia
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
503
Shrub
Perennial
Habitat: forests, pastures, disturbed areas, per Weakley's Flora
Non-native: Eurasia
Uncommon
Click here to see a map, notes, and images from Weakley's Flora of the Southeastern US.
Click here to see a map showing all occurrences known to SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria. (Zoom in to see more detail.)
This plant is causing problems in natural areas outside its native range, according to authorities such as:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2013
- SC Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2014
- SC Native Plant Society
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2009
- US Forest Service Southern Research Station
LEAVES:
Deciduous/Semi-persistant
Simple
Alternate
FLOWER:
Summer
Silvery-white/Yellow
Bisexual
Radially symmetrical
4-merous
4-lobed salverform calyx
Petals absent
4 inserted stamens
Superior ovary (hypanthium fleshy & persistent, thus ovary appearing inferior)
FRUIT:
Summer/Fall
Yellow
Drupe-like
TO LEARN MORE about this plant, look it up in a good book!
- Invasive Plants, Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2007) p136
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests (Miller, Chambliss, & Lowenstein, 2010) p018
- Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southeast (Foote & Jones, 1989) p099
- Trees of the Southeastern United States (Duncan & Duncan, 1988) p253
- Woody Plants of the Southeastern US: A Winter Guide (Lance, 2004) p132