Russian-olive
Location: Mississippi St Parking Garage, NW corner
Approximate blooming period: early summer
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Origin: Northern China
Habitat: Hardy to USDA Zone 2
Height and Form: a deciduous large shrub or tree that can get up to 30 feet high
Foliage and Bark: Stems and leaves are dull green to gray green with a silver fuzz, the stems are also covered in browish-red spines
Flowers, Fruit and Seeds: small, fragrant silvery-white flowers are bell-shaped tubes. Fruits are pink and covered in silver scales
Culture: mountainous areas, plains, sands, and desert, with little preference as to soil type, temperature, or moisture
Cultivars/Varieties: "The edible fruits and leaves of E. angustifolia are rich in saccharides, starches, proteins and vitamins. Essential oils extracted from the flowers are used in the manufacture of perfumes and flavorings. Russian olive is used medicinally in China."
