Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia

Family: Elaeagnaceae

What it is like

A large shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows to 6-9 m high and spreads about 6 m across. The trunk is crooked. The bark is brown and shreds. The new branches and underside of the leaves are covered with silvery scales. The branches can have spines. The leaves are narrow. They are 4-8 cm long. The flowers are small and pale yellow inside but silvery outside. They have a scent. They occur in clusters of 1-3. The fruit are yellow and covered in silvery scales. They are about 2 cm long. They are edible.

There are 45 Elaeagnus species. Most are in temperate east Asia. It can be invasive. It is high in Vitamin C.

Where it is found

It grows in cold desert in north India. It is native to western Asia. It grows along coasts and near riverbanks and in dry riverbeds and floodplains. It does best with warm dry summers. It can tolerate salt soil. It will grow in almost any soils. It needs plenty of sunlight. It is frost hardy. In the Himalayas it grows between 1,800-3,500 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 2-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten dried and raw or cooked. They are made into jellies and sherbets. The ripe fruit is sweet. They are also used for fermenting and distilling an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

The fruit are a commercial crop. They are sold in markets. It is an important food in arid regions of north China. The ripe fruit are eaten by children. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nut, flowers - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings, grafting or rooted suckers.

Its other names

Local names

Chhiolik, Giwai, Igde, Jida, Olajbogyo, Olajfa, Oleaster, Ozkolistna oljčica, Phshateni, Sand jujube, Sarseng, Sersing, Shazao, Shersing, Shiulik, Sinc, Surch, Trebizond date, Zinzeyd

Synonyms

Elaeagnus angustifolia var. orientalis (L.) Kuntze; Elaeagnus hortensis M. Bieb.; Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wall. ex Schltdl.; Elaeagnus orientalis L.; Elaeagnus argentea Moench; Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wallich;