Class C

Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

A perennial tree or large shrub that infests grasslands, range lands, woodlands, desert shrub land, and especially riparian areas, as well as disturbed areas such as roadsides, ditches and open fields.

Stems/ Leaves;

One to six main stems or trunks916-40 ft tall, 3-20 in thick) with gray or brown bark, sometimes coarse or scaly; leaves (0.8-4 in. long, 0.5-1.5 in. wide) are alternate, entire, oblong to linear or lanceolate, dull to gray-green in color with silvery underside.

FLOWERS: Flowers (0.12- 0.5 in. long) grow in clusters at branch ends, have four yellow to white petals and are fragrant.

Roots: Extensive root system with a root crown and creeping perennial roots.

Reproduction:   From root crown, creeping perennial roots, or seed; most reproduction and spread occurs through seeds and creeping perennial roots.

Management Do's and Don'ts

• Prevention and early detection are the most effective control methods
• Mowing saplings and cuttings or moving mature trees all effective controls if repeated often.
• Herbicides are somewhat effective

NMSU: Troublesome Weeds of New Mexico College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, New Mexico State University