Asia and Eastern Europe
Russian olive is a fast-growing deciduous tree or large shrub growing up to 25 ft tall (7½ m) from a taproot with wide lateral roots. Young stems are silver-colored, turning reddish-brown with age and developing thorns. Mature stems have brown bark with rough fissures. Leaves are alternate, elliptic, and silver-green. The small flowers have four yellow sepals fused at the base. Fruits are oval, ≤1 in (2½ cm) long, and olive-like with a fleshy outer layer covering one seed.
Russian olive can have profound impacts on riparian areas. It alters nutrient cycling in streams and riparian soils and increases stream turbidity, which reduces the diversity and growth of native fish. In riparian areas and shelterbelts, Russian olive provides perches and enclosed areas that increase predation on waterfowl, gamebirds, and other wildlife species. Heavy infestations prevent the germination of native riparian plant species, and it alters hydrological processes and climax plant communities.
Weyl, P., L. Humair, R.A. De Clerck-Floate, T. Collier, S.E. Sing, and D.K. Weaver. 2024. Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia): History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2024-42- RUSSIAN OLIVE-P. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/33583.pdf