Russian olive
ExplorePlants
Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia
The Russian olive is a bushy plant with silver-green leaves and small yellow flowers. It grows in many places and can be very helpful for wildlife, providing food and shelter.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Russian olive is a small tree or shrub recognized by its distinctive silvery-green, lance-shaped leaves that often have a fuzzy texture. It produces small, fragrant yellow flowers and later bears small, round, silvery-red berries. Its bark is often reddish-brown and shredding.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyElaeagnaceaeGenusElaeagnus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It's not truly from Russia, but Central Asia and Europe!
Its shimmering silvery leaves look like tiny fish scales!
Its tough, flexible wood was once used to make bows and tools!
The plant can survive even when buried by sand for years!
Special abilities
Ability
Desert Dweller
Russian olive can thrive in dry, harsh soils, thanks to its extensive root system that seeks out deep water.
Ability
Salty Survivor
It has special glands to excrete excess salt, allowing it to grow where many other plants cannot.
Ability
Soil Helper
Russian olive hosts tiny bacteria in its roots that enrich the soil by capturing nitrogen from the air.
Ability
Thorny Guard
Its branches are armed with sharp thorns that help protect its leaves and fruits from hungry animals.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 300-1200 cm
- Spread
- 300-1000 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late Spring - Early Summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eats
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
consumes its abundant, sweet fruits
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
attracted to its fragrant yellow flowers
eats
Cedar Waxwing
Bombycilla cedrorum
feeds on berries during migration and winter
eats
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
browses on its leaves and twigs
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Invasive
Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful not to touch the sharp thorns on the branches.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Russian olive?
300-1200 cm
How wide does Russian olive spread?
300-1000 cm
How big are the flowers on Russian olive?
0.5-1 cm
When does Russian olive bloom?
Late Spring - Early Summer
Is Russian olive edible?
Yes
Is Russian olive toxic?
None
What is Russian olive's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Russian olive pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
