General: Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a moderately tall, silvery, round-topped tree of wet areas. The leaves are oblong and silvery, especially below. Flowers are yellow with four petals. Seeds are produced in bunches.

Russian Olive is found along washes, rivers, and other wet areas in the Upper Sonoran (Mojave Desert Scrub and Pinyon-Juniper Woodland) life zone. Around Las Vegas, look for Russian Olive at Corn Creek, where is serves as a major source of food for migrating birds, and Floyd Lamb Park.

In natural areas around Las Vegas, keep an eye out for this species around wet areas. Land managers used to actively work to eradicate Russian Olive, but they haven't been paying much attention as it grows back. Russian Olive it is on the Lake Mead NRA "Top 10 Invasive Species" list.

Family: Oleaster (Elaeagnaceae).

Other Names: Oleaster.

Plant Form: Upright, many-branched tree.

Height: Usually 15-25 ft.

Trunk: Several separate trunks.

Leaves: Leaves elongate, silver gray, especially in the underside.

Flowers: Yellow; 4 petals.

Seeds: Seeds are produced in bunches that hang from small branchlets.

Distribution: Introduced; occurs throughout the US.

Habitat: Wet areas.

Elevation:

Comments: This species is considered a noxious, invasive weed in some places, but at least it provides food for birds.