Russian olive: Elaeagnus angustifolia (Rhamnales: Elaeagnaceae )

Russian olive
Rhamnales > Elaeagnaceae > Elaeagnus angustifolia L.
Synonym(s): oleaster
Russian olive is a deciduous tree or shrub growing to 35 ft. (10.6 m) in height. Russian olive is easily recognized by the silvery, scaly underside of the leaves and slightly thorny stems. Leaves are alternate and 1/2 in. (1.3 cm) wide. Small, yellowish flowers or hard green to yellow fruits are abundant and occur on clusters near the stems in the spring and summer. Russian olive invades old fields, woodland edges, and other disturbed areas. It can form a dense shrub layer which displaces native species and closes open areas. Russian olive is native to Europe and western Asia and was introduced into North America in the late 1800s. Since then it has been widely planted for wildlife habitat, mine reclamation, and shelterbelts.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Control of Problem Weeds in Range and Pasture - Montana, Utah, and Wyoming Cooperative Extension Services

Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut

Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies - Volume 1 - USDA Forest Service

Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Prescriptions for Specific Nonnative Invasive Plants - USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station

Weeds Gone Wild Fact Sheets - Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group

Weeds of the Week - USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Forest Health Protection

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Use 768x512 for Microsoft PowerPoint and use 1536x1024 for Prints and Publications.

Foliage; Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; Spring Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Foliage; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Flower(s); Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Feature(s); Stem. Summer Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Twig(s)/Shoot(s); Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Bark; Winter Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Fruit(s); Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Fruit(s); Summer Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Fruit(s); Barry Rice, sarracenia.com, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Infestation; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Infestation; Fish Lake National Forest, Utah J. Scott Peterson, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Infestation; Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024
Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Plant(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024	Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org 768x512 / 1536x1024

Invasive Reference(s):

Check Invasive.org for most current lists.

California - Invasive Plant Inventory
Colorado - Noxious Weed Law
Connecticut - Noxious Weed Law
New Mexico - Noxious Weed Law
Rhode Island - Noxious Weed Law
South Carolina - EPPC List
Tennessee - EPPC List
Texas - Invasive Plant List
Virginia - Invasive Alien Plant Species
Wyonming - Noxious Weed Law
Mid-Atlantic - EPPC List
Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England

External Links


				Bargeron, C.T., C.R. Minteer, C.W. Evans, D.J. Moorhead, G.K. Douce and R.C. Reardon. Technical Coordinators. 2008. Invasive Plants of the United States DVD-ROM: Identification, Biology and Control. USDA Forest Service. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, WV. FHTET-08-11.