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Russian Olive
Elaeagnus
angustifolia
 Identification
Large shrub or
small tree; grows to 30 feet tall. Stems, buds, and leaves have a
dense covering of silvery to rusty scales. Thorns about one and a
half inches long are usually present. Leaves are lance shaped and
alternately arranged. Flowers are small, inconspicuous, yellow in
color, and aromatic. The fruits are abundant and olive-like, green
to red in color.
Origin
Southern Europe
and Western Asia
Habitat
Open areas,
grasslands, fencerows, and stream banks. Seedlings are tolerant of
shade. It will thrive even in bare mineral soils.
Ecological Threat
Russian olive,
once used as a mine reclamation and wildlife plant, creates a
monotypic plant community by pushing or crowding out native
vegetation. It interferes with natural nutrient cycling and water
availability when it creates dense growth thickets. The fruits are
spread far and wide by birds, creating new colonies of olive in
other natural areas.
Recommended Native Alternatives
-
Black willow
(Salix nigra)
-
River birch (Betula
nigra)
-
Common alder
(Alnus serrulata)
These pages are designed to give the
layperson a general overview of non-native invasive plants commonly
found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For more comprehensive
and technical information about a particular species, visit one of
the web sites from our
Links
page. |
