Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia

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Scientific/Common Name:  Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), oleaster, Willow olive (4), (8)

Roots: No data found

Leaves: Are lance shaped.  The leaf length is 1 to 3 in. and the width is 1/4 to 5/8 in.  The color of the leaf is dark green and the underside is scaly silver.  The top and bottom surfaces are the both scaly.  The leaves are deciduous. (1), (2)

Flowers/ fruits: The flowers are a creamy yellow color and are very fragrant.  The fruits are small white and inside the flowers is yellow.  The fruits are 1/4 long and pulpy.  The fruit resembles an olive and is hard. (3), (2)

Stems: The twigs are flexible, have a gray color, and have thorns on the branches.  The bark is reddish brown and thin. (7)

Reproduction: They primarly reproduce by seed. (1)

Where Its Found
The are found along streams, open areas, and fields.  They have been used as wind rows and shelter belts through out the Western United States. (1)

Methods of Control
Biological: Natural diseases affect the shrub to a great extent. (9)

Chemical: Cut the stump treatment with glyphosate or basal bark spray treatment around the stem with triclopyr. (9)

Mechanical: No data found

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Links:
1) http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/elan1.htm
2) http://www.vnps.org/invasive/inveleag.htm
3) http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/aginfo/trees/handbook/th-3-93.pdf
4) http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/russolive.shtml
5) http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/2525.htm
6) http://www.northern.edu/natsource/TREESA1/Russia1.htm
7) http://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/Woody/russianolive.htm
8) http://www.naturesongs.com/vvplants/russianolive.html
9) http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/russianolive.html
10) http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=3022

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By: Kelsey Cronan, 3/2006.    

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