Elaeagnus angustifolia
Russian olive · also Silver berry, Oleaster, Wild olive
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Elaeagnus angustifolia is a deciduous tree or large shrub known for its silvery canopy, thorny bark, and fragrant yellow flowers. It produces olive-like fruits that attract wildlife and is highly resistant to saline conditions. However, its fast growth, aggressive root suckering, and high seed dispersal success make it an invasive species in many riparian habitats.
Where it grows
Trees in each city's inventory, with the share of that city's named trees this species accounts for.
- 1,4030.29%8.4 yr4.7 in
- 8480.31%—8.3 in
- 8470.16%—5.1 in
- 7970.26%—6.7 in
- 7870.26%—9.0 in
- 6830.10%—7.9 in
- 4070.12%7.3 yr3.1 in
- 4020.90%—8.7 in
- 2360.07%—10 in
- 1520.18%—12 in
- 1400.06%—7.5 in
- 1300.05%12 yr—
- 790.05%32 yr6.9 in
- 660.28%—7.9 in
- 650.01%42 yr12 in
- 370.05%—8.7 in
- 310.06%3.8 yr—
- 260.03%—1.6 in
- 120.03%—12 in
- 110.00%—2.3 in
- 80.00%—5.5 in
- 30.00%—28 in
- 30.01%—18 in
- 20.00%—17 in
- 20.00%—1.5 in
- 20.03%——
- 10.01%—12 in
- 10.00%—3.0 in
- 10.00%—5.9 in
Traits
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 20–30 ft
- Canopy spread
- 20 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Water needs
- Moderate
- Roots
- Invasive
- Wildlife value
- High
- Tolerates
- coastal, salt
- Blooms
- Jun, Jul, Aug
Trunk diameters across every city: median 7.5 in, mean 8.5 in, 90th percentile 17 in. Measured at breast height, as published by each inventory.
Native range
Terrestrial ecoregions where this species is native. Trees in the dataset mostly stand well outside it.
Temperate Broadleaf & Mixed Forests
- Caucasus mixed forests
- Central China Loess Plateau mixed forests
- East European forest steppe
- Northeast China Plain deciduous forests
Temperate Conifer Forests
- East Afghan montane conifer forests
Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands & Scrub
- Aegean and Western Turkey sclerophyllous and mixed forests
Deserts & Xeric Shrublands
- Central Asian riparian woodlands
Other Elaeagnus in the catalogue
5 of the top 2,000 species are in this genus.
