Elaeagnus

Elaeagnus plants are deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees. The alternate leaves and the shoots are usually covered with tiny silvery to brownish scales, giving the plants a whitish to grey-brown colour from a distance. The flowers are small, with a four-lobed calyx and no petals; they are often fragrant. The fruit is a fleshy drupe containing a single seed; it is edible in many species. Several species are cultivated for their fruit, including E. angustifolia, E. umbellata, and E. multiflora (gumi). E. umbellata contains the carotenoid lycopene.{{cite journal |first1=Ingrid M. |last1=Fordham |first2=Beverly A. |last2=Clevidence |first3=Eugene R. |last3=Wiley |first4=Richard H. |last4=Zimmerman |title=Fruit of autumn olive : A rich source of lycopene |journal=HortScience |issn=0018-5345 |year=2001 |volume=36 |issue=6 |pages=1136–7|doi=10.21273/HORTSCI.36.6.1136 |doi-access=free }}

The genus Elaeagnus was erected in 1754 by Carl Linnaeus, who attributed the name to Joseph Pitton de Tournefort.{{Cite book |last1=Linnaeus |first1=Carl |date=1754 |contribution=148. Elaeagnus |title=Genera Plantarum |edition=5 |page=57 |publication-place=Holmia (Stockholm) |publisher=Laurentius Salvius |contribution-url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/651065 |access-date=2021-10-13 }} There is agreement that the name is based on Theophrastus's use of the Ancient Greek {{lang|grc|ἐλαίαγνος}} ({{transliteration|grc|elaíagnos}}, latinized to {{transliteration|la|elaeagnus}}) as the name of a shrub.{{Citation |mode=cs1 |last1=Gilbert-Carter |first1=H. |date=1955 |title=Glossary of the British Flora |edition=2nd |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=30}} The first part of the name, elae-, is from {{lang|grc|ἐλαία}}, 'olive'. Sources differ on the origin of the second part: it may be from {{lang|grc|ἄγνος}}, Vitex agnus-castus, the chaste tree, or from the Greek name for a kind of willow.{{Cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=A.T. |last2=Smith |first2=H.A. |year=1972 |title=Plant Names Simplified : Their Pronunciation Derivation & Meaning |publication-place=Buckenhill, Herefordshire |publisher=Landsmans Bookshop |isbn=978-0-900513-04-6 |name-list-style=amp |page=38}} In either case, the second part is derived from {{lang|grc|ἁγνός}} ({{transliteration|grc|hagnós}}), meaning 'pure', 'chaste'.{{Citation |mode=cs1 |last1=Liddell |first1=Henry George |last2=Scott |first2=Robert |title=A Greek-English Lexicon |website=Perseus 4.0 |publisher=Department of the Classics, Tufts University |url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0057:entry=A%28GNO%2FS |access-date=2021-10-13 |name-list-style=amp }}

Plants of the World Online currently (February 2025) includes:{{cite web | url = https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A30001965-2| author=Govaerts R | website = Plants of the World Online | title = Elaeagnus Tourn. ex L.| publisher=Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | access-date = 16 February 2025}}

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1. Elaeagnus angustata {{Au|(Rehder) C.Y.Chang}} (China)
2. Elaeagnus angustifolia {{Au|L.}} – type species – oleaster, Russian olive, etc. (western Asia)
3. Elaeagnus annamensis {{Au|S.Moore}}
4. Elaeagnus arakiana {{Au|Koidz.}}
5. Elaeagnus argyi {{Au|H.Lév.}} (China)
6. Elaeagnus bambusetorum {{Au|Hand.-Mazz.}} (China)
7. Elaeagnus bockii {{Au|Diels}} (China)
8. Elaeagnus bonii {{Au|Lecomte}}
9. Elaeagnus calcarea {{Au|Z.R.Xu}}
10. Elaeagnus caudata {{Au|Schltdl. ex Momiy.}}
11. Elaeagnus cinnamomifolia {{Au|W.K.Hu & H.F.Chow}} (China)
12. Elaeagnus commutata {{Au|Bernh. ex Rydb.}} – American silverberry or wolf-willow (North America)
13. Elaeagnus conferta {{Au|Roxb.}} (southern Asia)
14. Elaeagnus courtoisii {{Au|Belval}} (China)
15. Elaeagnus darenensis {{Au|S.S.Ying}} (China)
16. Elaeagnus davidi {{Au|Franch.}} (China)
17. Elaeagnus delavayi {{Au|Lecomte}}
18. Elaeagnus difficilis {{Au|Servett.}}
19. Elaeagnus elongatus {{Au|Tagane & V.S.Dang}}
20. Elaeagnus epitricha {{Au|Momiy. ex H.Ohba}}
21. Elaeagnus fasciculata {{Au|Griff.}}
22. Elaeagnus formosana {{Au|Nakai}}
23. Elaeagnus formosensis {{Au|Hatus.}} (Taiwan)
24. Elaeagnus geniculata {{Au|D.Fang}}
25. Elaeagnus glabra {{Au|Thunb.}} (eastern Asia)
26. Elaeagnus gonyanthes {{Au|Benth.}} (China)
27. Elaeagnus grandifolia {{Au|Hayata}} (China)
28. Elaeagnus griffithii {{Au|Servett.}} (China)
29. Elaeagnus grijsii {{Au|Hance}}
30. Elaeagnus guizhouensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}}
31. Elaeagnus henryi {{Au|Warb. ex Diels}}
32. Elaeagnus heterophylla {{Au|D.Fang & D.R.Liang}}
33. Elaeagnus hunanensis {{Au|C.J.Qi & Q.Z.Lin}} (China)
34. Elaeagnus indica {{Au|Servett.}}
35. Elaeagnus infundibularis {{Au|Momiy.}}
36. Elaeagnus jiangxiensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
37. Elaeagnus jingdonensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
38. Elaeagnus kanaii {{Au|Momiy.}} (China)
39. Elaeagnus lanceolata {{Au|Warb.}} (China)
40. Elaeagnus lanpingensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
41. Elaeagnus laosensis {{Au|Lecomte}}
42. Elaeagnus latifolia {{Au|L.}} (southern Asia)
43. Elaeagnus lipoensis {{Au|Z.R.Xu}}
44. Elaeagnus liukiuensis {{Au|Rehder}}
45. Elaeagnus liuzhouensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
46. Elaeagnus longiloba {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
47. Elaeagnus loureiroi {{Au|Champ.}} (southern China)
48. Elaeagnus luoxiangensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
49. Elaeagnus luxiensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
50. Elaeagnus macrantha {{Au|Rehder}} (China)
51. Elaeagnus macrophylla {{Au|Thunb.}} (eastern Asia)
52. Elaeagnus magna {{Au|(Servett.) Rehder}}
53. Elaeagnus × maritima {{Au|Koidz.}}
54. Elaeagnus matsunoana {{Au|Makino}}
55. Elaeagnus maximowiczii {{Au|Servett.}}
56. Elaeagnus micrantha {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
57. Elaeagnus mollis {{Au|Diels}} (China)
58. Elaeagnus montana {{Au|Makino}}
59. Elaeagnus multiflora {{Au|Thunb.}} – cherry silverberry or gumi (eastern Asia)
60. Elaeagnus murakamiana {{Au|Makino}}
61. Elaeagnus numajiriana {{Au|Makino}}
62. Elaeagnus obovatifolia {{Au|D.Fang}}
63. Elaeagnus oldhamii {{Au|Maxim.}} (China)
64. Elaeagnus ovata {{Au|Servett.}} (China)
65. Elaeagnus pallidiflora {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
66. Elaeagnus pilostyla {{Au|C.Y.Chang}}
67. Elaeagnus pingnanensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}}
68. Elaeagnus pungens {{Au|Thunb.}} – silverthorn (Japan)
69. Elaeagnus pyriformis {{Au|Hook.f.}} (eastern Himalaya)
70. Elaeagnus × reflexa {{Au|É.Morren & Decne.}}
71. Elaeagnus retrostyla {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
72. Elaeagnus rivularis {{Au|Merr.}}
73. Elaeagnus rotundata {{Au|Nakai}}
74. Elaeagnus s-stylata {{Au|Z.R.Xu}}
75. Elaeagnus sarmentosa {{Au|Rehder}} (China)
76. Elaeagnus schlechtendalii {{Au|Servett.}} (China)
77. Elaeagnus stellipila {{Au|Rehder}} (China)
78. Elaeagnus × submacrophylla {{Au|Servett.}}
79. Elaeagnus takeshitae {{Au|Makino}}
80. Elaeagnus taliensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
81. Elaeagnus tarokoensis {{Au|S.Y.Lu & Yuen P.Yang}}
82. Elaeagnus thunbergii {{Au|Servett.}} (China)
83. Elaeagnus tonkinensis {{Au|Servett.}} (southeastern Asia)
84. Elaeagnus tricholepis {{Au|Momiy.}}
85. Elaeagnus triflora {{Au|Roxb.}} (southeastern Asia, northeast Australia)
86. Elaeagnus tubiflora {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
87. Elaeagnus tutcheri {{Au|Dunn}} (southern China)
88. Elaeagnus umbellata {{Au|Thunb.}} – Japanese silverberry or autumn olive (eastern Asia)
89. Elaeagnus viridis {{Au|Servett.}} (China)
90. Elaeagnus wenshanensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
91. Elaeagnus xichouensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
92. Elaeagnus xingwenensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
93. Elaeagnus xizangensis {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China)
94. Elaeagnus yakusimensis {{Au|Masam.}}
95. Elaeagnus yoshinoi {{Au|Makino}} (China)
96. Elaeagnus yunnanensis {{Au|Servett.}} (Yunnan)

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The following species have been placed in other genera or their status has been considered unresolved:{{cite web | url = http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Myricaceae/Myrica/ | title = The Plant List entry for Myrica | date = September 2013 | website = The Plant List, v.1.1 | publisher = Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanical Garden | access-date = 14 December 2020}}

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• Elaeagnus arakiana Koidz.
• Elaeagnus asakawana Sa.Kurata
• Elaeagnus attenuata Nakai
• Elaeagnus crocea Nakai
• Elaeagnus cyanea Aiton ex Steud.
• Elaeagnus emarginata Colla
• Elaeagnus fasciculata (Wall. ex Steud.) A.Nelson
• Elaeagnus fragrans Nakai
• Elaeagnus fruticosa (Lour.) A.Chev.
• Elaeagnus fusca Pépin ex Lem.
• Elaeagnus higoensis Nakai
• Elaeagnus kiusiana Nakai
• Elaeagnus laetevirens Lindb.
• Elaeagnus latifolia Lour.
• Elaeagnus mayeharai Nakai
• Elaeagnus nagasakiana Nakai
• Elaeagnus numajiriana Makino
• Elaeagnus oleaster L.
• Elaeagnus pauciflora C.Y. Chang (China)
• Elaeagnus philippinensis Perrott. – lingaro berry (Philippines)
• Elaeagnus × pyramidalis Browicz & Bugala (E. commutata × E. multiflora)
• Elaeagnus oxycarpa Schltdl. (China)
• Elaeagnus rhamnoides (L.) A.Nelson
• Elaeagnus rotundifolia (Parry) A.Nelson
• Elaeagnus sativa Dippel
• Elaeagnus undulata auct.
• Elaeagnus utilis A.Nelson
• Elaeagnus veteris-castelli Lepage

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The following hybrids have been described:

• Elaeagnus × maritima Koidz.
• Elaeagnus × reflexa E.Morren & Decne. (E. pungens × E. glabra)
• Elaeagnus × submacrophylla Servett. (E. macrophylla × E. pungens)

The vast majority of the species are native to temperate and subtropical regions of Asia. Elaeagnus triflora extends from Asia south into northeastern Australia, while E. commutata is native to North America, and Elaeagnus philippinensis is native to the Philippines. One of the Asian species, E. angustifolia, may also be native in southeasternmost Europe, though it may instead be an early human introduction there. Also, several Asiatic species of Elaeagnus have become established as introduced species in North America, with some of these species being considered invasive, or even designated as noxious, in portions of the United States.{{BONAP|ref|genus=Elaeagnus}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fleppc.org/list/list.htm |title=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Lists |publisher=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council |access-date=6 February 2012 |archive-date=19 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419143047/https://www.fleppc.org/list/list.htm |url-status=usurped }}

Elaeagnus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora elaeagnisella and the Gothic moths. The thorny shrubs can also provide good nesting sites for birds.

Many Elaeagnus species harbor nitrogen-fixing organisms in their roots, so are able to grow well in low-nitrogen soils. This ability results in multiple ecological consequences where these Elaeagnus species are present. They can become invasive in many locations where they are established as exotic species. Two species (E. pungens and E. umbellata) are currently rated as category II noxious, invasive species in many world regions and by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.

Elaeagnus species are widely cultivated for their showy, often variegated, foliage, and numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed.{{cite book|title=RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants|year=2008|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|location=United Kingdom|isbn=978-1-4053-3296-5|pages=1136}}

The fruit is acidic and somewhat astringent. It makes good tarts.{{cite book|first=J. H. |last=Maiden |year=1889 |title=The Useful Native Plants of Australia: Including Tasmania |publisher=Turner and Henderson, Sydney |url=https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=SLNSW_ALMA21105097830002626&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US}}

File:Silverberry, GSBF-CN 259, September 12, 2008.jpg]]

Notable species and hybrids in cultivation include:-

• Elaeagnus angustifolia
• Elaeagnus commutata
• Elaeagnus macrophylla
• Elaeagnus multiflora
• Elaeagnus pungens
• Elaeagnus × reflexa
• Elaeagnus × submacrophylla (syn. E. × ebbingei)
• Elaeagnus umbellata

The hybrid Elaeagnus × submacrophylla{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/169093/Elaeagnus-x-submacrophylla/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder – Elaeagnus × submacrophylla

|access-date=5 June 2020}} and the cultivar 'Gilt Edge'{{cite web|title=Eleagnus × ebbengei 'Gilt Edge'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/361204/Elaeagnus-x-submacrophylla-Gilt-Edge-(v)/Details|publisher=Royal Horticultural Society|access-date=5 June 2020}} have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf |title=AGM Plants – Ornamental |date=July 2017 |page=35 |publisher=Royal Horticultural Society |access-date=6 February 2018}}

File:SilverBerries1.jpg

File:宜梧 Elaeagnus oldhamii 20210225184946 01.jpg]]

{{Reflist}}

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• [http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=3&start_taxon_id=111375 eFloras Chinese Plant list: Elaeagnus]

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Category:Rosales genera