Russian Olive | Nebraska Invasive Species Council

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

General Information

Species Name: Elaeagnus angustifolia

Also Known As: oleaster

Family: Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster)

Growth Form: Tree

Life Span: Perennial

Flowering Dates: May-July

Origin: Eurasia

Noxious: No

Why Is It Invasive?

Russian olive is tolerant of various soil and environment types, allowing it to spread easily to different areas. It is particularly invasive to riparian areas. Once established, it outcompetes and restricts the growth of native species.

What Does It Look Like?

General Description

Deciduous tree that grows up to 20 feet tall with oval shaped, silvery-green fruits.

Flowers

Flowers grow in clusters and are bell-shaped. They are yellow to yellowish green and very fragrant.

Leaves

Leaves are alternately arranged, narrow and elliptic in shape. They have smooth edges and the upper leaf is grayish green and covered with silvery hairs. The understide of the leaf is silvery gray.

Stems and Bark

Stems are smooth, dark reddish brown, and may have thorns. younger stems may be silvery gray and covered in scales. Bark can be reddish in color and is sometimes shredding.

Fruit

Fruits are oval shaped and silvery green. They dry into a brown color and contain one seed.

Photos

Reddish brown Russian olive branch with green leaves and clusters of small, light-colored fruits.

Credit: Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org

Silvery-green elongated leaves hanging from a Russian olive branch.

Credit: Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org

Yellow flowers and silvery-green leaves on a branch, set against a blurred natural background.

Credit: Norbert Frank, University of West Hungary, Bugwood.org

Bright yellow star-shaped Russian olive flower with textured petals and central stamens.

Credit: John Cardina, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Rough, peeling bark of a Russian olive tree with visible layers and textures.

Credit: T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Pale yellow green berries and slender green leaves on a Russian olive branch.

Credit: Patrick Breen, Oregon State University, Bugwood.org

Drooping Russian olive leaves with brown stems lit by sunlight.

Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Russian olive tree and shrubs in front of a brick building.

Credit: John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

Where Does It Grow?

Russian olive can primarily be found in riparian areas and along waterways, but can adapt to many environments and soil types. It is widely established across the United States.

How Does It Spread?

Russian olive is spread by seed, which can be spread through natural vectors, like birds and wildlife, or human vectors. Cut Russian olive trees can resprout from the crown and roots. It was initially brought to the United States to be used as a horticultural plant but escaped cultivation.

How Do I Control It?

Mechanical

Manually remove seedlings and saplings, including the roots. Pulling or digging out more mature plants is possible, but labor intensive and can cause site disturbance that remaining roots may take advantage of. Cutting can suppress growth, but will not kill the plant without root removal.

Please contact your county weed control authority to determine appropriate removal methods.

Cultural

Do not intentionally plant Russian olive. Consider a native alternative instead.

One way that invasive plant seeds and fragments can spread is in soil. Sometimes plants are planted purposefully. You can prevent the spread of invasive plants.

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