Russian-olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnaceae - Oleaster
Description
Leaves: Alternate; simple; oblong; 1-1/2" to 3" long; deciduous; entire margin; silvery; scaly; petiole short.
Twigs/buds: Twigs silvery; sometimes with spines. Buds small, round, gray-brown, with 4 exposed, silvery scales.
Flowers/fruit: Flowers perfect; no petals; 3/8" long; whitish-yellow; fragrant; open in May. Fruit a drupe; silver-yellow; 1/4" to 1/2" in diameter; matures in August and September.
Bark: Gray-brown; shallow furrows with narrow plates between.
Wood: Unimportant; little information available; yellow to brown.
General: Native to Asia and southern Europe. Has been planted extensively on the Great Plains and in the West and has become naturalized. Shade intolerant.
Landscape Use: A medium-sized tree attractive for its foliage and interesting, irregular, spreading canopy form. Has been strongly affected by a stem canker in the Midwest but not yet in Utah. This tree is very aggressive and weedy and has been declared a noxious weed in Carbon, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties in Utah. It has caused some serious environmental degradation and should not be planted. Zones 2-7.
Cultivar: 'Red King'.
Characteristics
General
Family | Elaeagnaceae - Oleaster |
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Cultivar Availability | Yes |
Hardiness Zone | 2-7 |
Type | Broadleaf |
Utah Native | No |
Growth
Growth Rate | High |
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Mature Height | Medium |
Longevity | Medium |
Is Good Under Power Lines | No |
Crown Shapes | Rounded |
Ornamental
Bark | No |
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Fall Color | No |
Flowers | No |
Foliage | Yes |
Fruit | Yes |
Tolerance
Shade | Low |
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Salt | High |
Drought | High |
Poor Drainage | Low |
Alkalinity | High |
Transplanting | Medium |