Open main menu
Home
Random
Recent changes
Special pages
Community portal
Preferences
About Wikipedia
Disclaimers
Incubator escapee wiki
Search
User menu
Talk
Dark mode
Contributions
Create account
Log in
Editing
Elaeagnus
Warning:
You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you
log in
or
create an account
, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
Anti-spam check. Do
not
fill this in!
{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants in the family Elaeagnaceae}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use British English|date=January 2025}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Elaeagnus commutata USDA.jpg | image_caption = American silverberry (''Elaeagnus commutata'') | taxon = Elaeagnus | authority = [[Joseph Pitton de Tournefort|Tourn.]] ex [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]]<ref name=POWO_30001965-2>{{cite web |title=''Elaeagnus'' Tourn. ex L. |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30001965-2 |access-date=2021-10-13 }}</ref> | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text | range_map = Elaeagnus distribution.svg | range_map_caption = }} '''''Elaeagnus''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɛ|l|iː|ˈ|æ|ɡ|n|ə|s}})<ref>{{cite book |title=Sunset Western Garden Book |year=1995 |pages=606–7 |publisher=Sunset Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-0-376-03850-0}}</ref> is a [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Elaeagnaceae]].<ref name="cabi">{{cite web|title=''Elaeagnus umbellata'' (autumn olive)|url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/20728|publisher=CABI|access-date=8 February 2018|date=3 January 2018}}</ref> Some species of the genus are commonly known as '''silverberry''' or '''oleaster''', == Description == ''Elaeagnus'' plants are [[deciduous]] or [[evergreen]] [[shrub]]s or small [[tree]]s.<ref name=cabi/> The alternate [[leaf|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 [[flower]]s are small, with a four-lobed [[sepal|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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> ==Taxonomy== The genus ''Elaeagnus'' was erected in 1754 by [[Carl Linnaeus]], who attributed the name to [[Joseph Pitton de Tournefort]].<ref name=POWO_30001965-2/><ref name=Linn54>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref name=Gilb55>{{Citation |mode=cs1 |last1=Gilbert-Carter |first1=H. |date=1955 |title=Glossary of the British Flora |edition=2nd |publisher=Cambridge University Press |page=30}}</ref> 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,<ref name=Gilb55/> or from the Greek name for a kind of willow.<ref name=John72>{{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}}</ref> In either case, the second part is derived from {{lang|grc|ἁγνός}} ({{transliteration|grc|hagnós}}), meaning 'pure', 'chaste'.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> === Species === ''[[Plants of the World Online]]'' currently (February 2025) includes:<ref name = POWO>{{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}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em}} # ''[[Elaeagnus angustata]]'' {{Au|(Rehder) C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus angustifolia]]'' {{Au|L.}} – '''type species''' – oleaster, Russian olive, etc. (western Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus annamensis]]'' {{Au|S.Moore}} # ''[[Elaeagnus arakiana]]'' {{Au|Koidz.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus argyi]]'' {{Au|H.Lév.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus bambusetorum]]'' {{Au|Hand.-Mazz.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus bockii]]'' {{Au|Diels}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus bonii]]'' {{Au|Lecomte}} # ''[[Elaeagnus calcarea]]'' {{Au|Z.R.Xu}} # ''[[Elaeagnus caudata]]'' {{Au|Schltdl. ex Momiy.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus cinnamomifolia]]'' {{Au|W.K.Hu & H.F.Chow}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus commutata]]'' {{Au|Bernh. ex Rydb.}} – American silverberry or wolf-willow (North America) # ''[[Elaeagnus conferta]]'' {{Au|Roxb.}} (southern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus courtoisii]]'' {{Au|Belval}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus darenensis]]'' {{Au|S.S.Ying}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus davidi]]'' {{Au|Franch.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus delavayi]]'' {{Au|Lecomte}} # ''[[Elaeagnus difficilis]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus elongatus]]'' {{Au|Tagane & V.S.Dang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus epitricha]]'' {{Au|Momiy. ex H.Ohba}} # ''[[Elaeagnus fasciculata]]'' {{Au|Griff.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus formosana]]'' {{Au|Nakai}} # ''[[Elaeagnus formosensis]]'' {{Au|Hatus.}} (Taiwan) # ''[[Elaeagnus geniculata]]'' {{Au|D.Fang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus glabra]]'' {{Au|Thunb.}} (eastern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus gonyanthes]]'' {{Au|Benth.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus grandifolia]]'' {{Au|Hayata}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus griffithii]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus grijsii]]'' {{Au|Hance}} # ''[[Elaeagnus guizhouensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus henryi]]'' {{Au|Warb. ex Diels}} # ''[[Elaeagnus heterophylla]]'' {{Au|D.Fang & D.R.Liang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus hunanensis]]'' {{Au|C.J.Qi & Q.Z.Lin}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus indica]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus infundibularis]]'' {{Au|Momiy.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus jiangxiensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus jingdonensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus kanaii]]'' {{Au|Momiy.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus lanceolata]]'' {{Au|Warb.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus lanpingensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus laosensis]]'' {{Au|Lecomte}} # ''[[Elaeagnus latifolia]]'' {{Au|L.}} (southern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus lipoensis]]'' {{Au|Z.R.Xu}} # ''[[Elaeagnus liukiuensis]]'' {{Au|Rehder}} # ''[[Elaeagnus liuzhouensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus longiloba]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus loureiroi]]'' {{Au|Champ.}} (southern China) # ''[[Elaeagnus luoxiangensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus luxiensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus macrantha]]'' {{Au|Rehder}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus macrophylla]]'' {{Au|Thunb.}} (eastern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus magna]]'' {{Au|(Servett.) Rehder}} # ''[[Elaeagnus × maritima]]'' {{Au|Koidz.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus matsunoana]]'' {{Au|Makino}} # ''[[Elaeagnus maximowiczii]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus micrantha]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus mollis]]'' {{Au|Diels}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus montana]]'' {{Au|Makino}} # ''[[Elaeagnus multiflora]]'' {{Au|Thunb.}} – cherry silverberry or gumi (eastern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus murakamiana]]'' {{Au|Makino}} # ''[[Elaeagnus numajiriana]]'' {{Au|Makino}} # ''[[Elaeagnus obovatifolia]]'' {{Au|D.Fang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus oldhamii]]'' {{Au|Maxim.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus ovata]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus pallidiflora]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus pilostyla]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus pingnanensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus pungens]]'' {{Au|Thunb.}} – silverthorn (Japan) # ''[[Elaeagnus pyriformis]]'' {{Au|Hook.f.}} (eastern [[Himalaya]]) # ''[[Elaeagnus × reflexa]]'' {{Au|É.Morren & Decne.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus retrostyla]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus rivularis]]'' {{Au|Merr.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus rotundata]]'' {{Au|Nakai}} # ''[[Elaeagnus s-stylata]]'' {{Au|Z.R.Xu}} # ''[[Elaeagnus sarmentosa]]'' {{Au|Rehder}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus schlechtendalii]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus stellipila]]'' {{Au|Rehder}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus × submacrophylla]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus takeshitae]]'' {{Au|Makino}} # ''[[Elaeagnus taliensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus tarokoensis]]'' {{Au|S.Y.Lu & Yuen P.Yang}} # ''[[Elaeagnus thunbergii]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus tonkinensis]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} (southeastern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus tricholepis]]'' {{Au|Momiy.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus triflora]]'' {{Au|Roxb.}} (southeastern Asia, northeast Australia) # ''[[Elaeagnus tubiflora]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus tutcheri]]'' {{Au|Dunn}} (southern China) # ''[[Elaeagnus umbellata]]'' {{Au|Thunb.}} – Japanese silverberry or autumn olive (eastern Asia) # ''[[Elaeagnus viridis]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus wenshanensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus xichouensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus xingwenensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus xizangensis]]'' {{Au|C.Y.Chang}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus yakusimensis]]'' {{Au|Masam.}} # ''[[Elaeagnus yoshinoi]]'' {{Au|Makino}} (China) # ''[[Elaeagnus yunnanensis]]'' {{Au|Servett.}} ([[Yunnan]]) {{div col end}} ===Species names with uncertain taxonomic status=== The following species have been placed in other genera or their status has been considered unresolved:<ref name="PlantList">{{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}}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=350px}} * ''Elaeagnus arakiana'' <small>Koidz.</small> * ''Elaeagnus asakawana'' <small>Sa.Kurata</small> * ''Elaeagnus attenuata'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus crocea'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus cyanea'' <small>Aiton ex Steud.</small> * ''Elaeagnus emarginata'' <small>Colla</small> * ''Elaeagnus fasciculata'' <small>(Wall. ex Steud.) A.Nelson</small> * ''Elaeagnus fragrans'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus fruticosa'' <small>(Lour.) A.Chev.</small> * ''Elaeagnus fusca'' <small>Pépin ex Lem.</small> * ''Elaeagnus higoensis'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus kiusiana'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus laetevirens'' <small>Lindb.</small> * ''Elaeagnus latifolia'' <small>Lour.</small> * ''Elaeagnus mayeharai'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus nagasakiana'' <small>Nakai</small> * ''Elaeagnus numajiriana'' <small>Makino</small> * ''Elaeagnus oleaster'' <small>L.</small> * ''Elaeagnus pauciflora'' <small>C.Y. Chang</small> (China) * ''Elaeagnus philippinensis'' <small>Perrott.</small> – lingaro berry (Philippines) * ''Elaeagnus'' × ''pyramidalis'' <small>Browicz & Bugala</small> (''E. commutata'' × ''E. multiflora'') * ''Elaeagnus oxycarpa'' <small>Schltdl.</small> (China) * ''[[Elaeagnus rhamnoides]]'' <small>(L.) A.Nelson</small> * ''Elaeagnus rotundifolia'' <small>(Parry) A.Nelson</small> * ''Elaeagnus sativa'' <small>Dippel</small> * ''Elaeagnus undulata'' <small>auct.</small> * ''Elaeagnus utilis'' <small>A.Nelson</small> * ''Elaeagnus veteris-castelli'' <small>Lepage</small> {{div col end}} === Hybrids === The following hybrids have been described:<ref name="PlantList"/><ref name="POWO"/> * ''Elaeagnus'' × ''maritima'' <small>Koidz.</small> * [[Elaeagnus × reflexa|''Elaeagnus'' × ''reflexa'']] <small>E.Morren & Decne.</small> (''E. pungens'' × ''E. glabra'') * [[Elaeagnus × submacrophylla|''Elaeagnus'' × ''submacrophylla'']] <small>Servett.</small> (''E. macrophylla'' × ''E. pungens'') == Habitat == The vast majority of the species are [[native plant|native]] to [[temperateness|temperate]] and [[subtropics|subtropical]] regions of Asia.<ref name=cabi/> ''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 species|invasive]], or even designated as [[noxious weed|noxious]], in portions of the United States.<ref name=cabi/><ref>{{BONAP|ref|genus=Elaeagnus}}</ref><ref name="IPL">{{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 }}</ref> == Ecology == ''Elaeagnus'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Coleophora elaeagnisella]]'' and the [[Gothic (moth)|Gothic]] [[moth]]s. The thorny shrubs can also provide good nesting sites for birds. === Nitrogen fixation === Many ''Elaeagnus'' species harbor [[nitrogen-fixing]] organisms in their roots, so are able to grow well in low-nitrogen soils.<ref name=cabi/> This ability results in multiple ecological consequences where these ''Elaeagnus'' species are present. They can become [[invasive species|invasive]] in many locations where they are established as [[exotic species]]. Two species (''[[Elaeagnus pungens|E. pungens]]'' and ''[[Elaeagnus umbellata|E. umbellata]]'') are currently rated as category II [[noxious weed|noxious]], invasive species in many world regions<ref name=cabi/> and by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.<ref name="IPL" /> == Cultivation == ''Elaeagnus'' species are widely cultivated for their showy, often variegated, foliage, and numerous [[cultivar]]s and [[Hybrid (biology)#Hybrid plants|hybrids]] have been developed.<ref name=RHSAZ>{{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}}</ref> The fruit is acidic and somewhat astringent.<ref name=cabi/> It makes good tarts.<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[File:Silverberry, GSBF-CN 259, September 12, 2008.jpg|thumbnail|right|''E. angustifolia'' cultivated as [[bonsai]]]] Notable species and hybrids in cultivation include:- *''[[Elaeagnus angustifolia]]'' *''[[Elaeagnus commutata]]'' *''[[Elaeagnus macrophylla]]'' *''[[Elaeagnus multiflora]]'' *''[[Elaeagnus pungens]]'' *''Elaeagnus'' × ''reflexa'' *[[Elaeagnus × submacrophylla|''Elaeagnus'' × ''submacrophylla'']] ([[Synonym (taxonomy)|syn.]] ''E.'' × ''ebbingei'') *''[[Elaeagnus umbellata]]'' The hybrid ''Elaeagnus'' × ''submacrophylla''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/169093/Elaeagnus-x-submacrophylla/Details |title=RHS Plantfinder – ''Elaeagnus'' × ''submacrophylla'' |access-date=5 June 2020}}</ref> and the cultivar 'Gilt Edge'<ref>{{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}}</ref> have gained the [[Royal Horticultural Society]]'s [[Award of Garden Merit]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[File:SilverBerries1.jpg|thumb|Berries from a large-fruited cultivar]] [[File:宜梧 Elaeagnus oldhamii 20210225184946 01.jpg|thumb|''[[Elaeagnus oldhamii]]'']] == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{Commons}} *[http://www.efloras.org/browse.aspx?flora_id=3&start_taxon_id=111375 ''eFloras'' Chinese Plant list: ''Elaeagnus''] {{Taxonbar|from=Q161042}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Elaeagnus| ]] [[Category:Rosales genera]]
Edit summary
(Briefly describe your changes)
By publishing changes, you agree to the
Terms of Use
, and you irrevocably agree to release your contribution under the
CC BY-SA 4.0 License
and the
GFDL
. You agree that a hyperlink or URL is sufficient attribution under the Creative Commons license.
Cancel
Editing help
(opens in new window)
Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page
(
help
)
:
Template:Au
(
edit
)
Template:Authority control
(
edit
)
Template:Automatic taxobox
(
edit
)
Template:BONAP
(
edit
)
Template:Citation
(
edit
)
Template:Cite book
(
edit
)
Template:Cite journal
(
edit
)
Template:Cite web
(
edit
)
Template:Commons
(
edit
)
Template:Div col
(
edit
)
Template:Div col end
(
edit
)
Template:IPAc-en
(
edit
)
Template:Lang
(
edit
)
Template:Reflist
(
edit
)
Template:Short description
(
edit
)
Template:Sister project
(
edit
)
Template:Taxonbar
(
edit
)
Template:Transliteration
(
edit
)
Template:Use British English
(
edit
)
Template:Use dmy dates
(
edit
)