ExplorePlants

thorny olive

Elaeagnus pungens

The thorny olive is a bushy plant with shiny leaves and small, yellow flowers. It has sharp thorns that help protect it from animals. This plant is great for gardens and can grow in many places!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The thorny olive is an evergreen shrub with dense, spreading branches and sharp thorns. Its oval leaves are dark green and glossy on top, contrasting with a shimmering silvery-scaly underside. Small, fragrant, bell-shaped flowers are silvery-white, followed by red berries speckled with silver.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyElaeagnaceaeGenusElaeagnus
thorny olive
flowering trait badgeshrub trait badgeevergreen trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
thorny olive

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its small flowers fill the autumn air with an intense, sweet perfume!

The tart, cranberry-like berries are loved by birds, and even humans can eat them!

This plant is so tough it can survive salty sea spray near beaches!

You can rub the silvery underside of its leaves to write secret messages!

Special abilities

Ability

Armor Plating

It has super sharp thorns on its branches that help defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves.

Ability

Soil Supercharger

It can take nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer for itself.

Ability

Evergreen Guardian

Its leaves stay green all year long, helping it make food even when other plants have lost their leaves.

Ability

Tough Survivor

It can grow in very dry, poor soil, making it a champion at surviving harsh conditions.

Measurements & details

Height
200-400 cm
Spread
200-400 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

symbiotic with

Frankia bacteria

Frankia alni

fixes nitrogen in its roots.

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar from sweet-smelling flowers.

eaten by

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

enjoys the red berries.

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses on leaves and twigs.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be careful of the sharp thorns on this plant when exploring!

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is thorny olive?

200-400 cm

How wide does thorny olive spread?

200-400 cm

How big are the flowers on thorny olive?

0.5-1 cm

When does thorny olive bloom?

Fall

Is thorny olive edible?

Yes

Is thorny olive toxic?

None

What is thorny olive's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is thorny olive pollinated?

Insect

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