Russian Olive Trees: Fragrant Or Not?

Russian Olive trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are native to Asia and Eastern Europe and are now widely established in North America. The tree is known for its highly aromatic flowers, which are creamy yellow and appear in early summer. The flowers are described as having a nice fragrance and a rich, full scent. The fruits are edible and have a sweet taste, although they have a dry and mealy texture. The fruits are used in Iran to make a powder that is mixed with milk to treat rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains.

Russian olive trees are native to Europe and Asia

Russian olive trees (Elaeagnus angustifolia) are native to Central Asia and Eastern Europe. The native range of these trees spans from Ukraine and Turkey in the west, through southern Russia and Central Asia, all the way to China in the east. In the eastern Mediterranean, they are native to the East Aegean Islands, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Israel. In Asia, Russian olive trees are also found in Afghanistan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and the nations of the Caucasus.

Russian olive trees were introduced to North America in the late 19th century and are now widely established there. They were initially brought to the continent due to their fast-growing and resilient nature, as they were needed to prevent soil erosion. However, they quickly became invasive, spreading and overcrowding native vegetation.

In Europe, Russian olive trees are used as ornamental shrubs and have various practical applications, such as marking property edges, stabilizing river banks, and providing melliferous flowers for bees. They are also cultivated for their edible fruits, which have been harvested for oil since ancient times in Persia and India.

Russian olive trees are short trees, growing up to 35 feet (11 meters) in height. They have thorny branches and a dense covering of silvery to rusty scales on their stems, buds, and leaves. The leaves are lanceolate in shape, with smooth margins. The highly aromatic flowers of these trees are produced in clusters of one to three and appear in early summer, followed by clusters of small, cherry-like fruits.

What is the Latin name for Russian olive trees?

The Latin name for Russian olive trees is *Elaeagnus angustifolia*. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a thorny tree that can grow up to 35 feet (about 11 metres) tall. It is native to Asia and parts of Eastern Europe, and it has been introduced to North America, where it is now considered an invasive species in many places. The tree has silvery to rusty scales covering its stems, buds, and leaves, and its flowers are highly aromatic.

Russian olive trees were introduced to North America in the late 19th century, and they quickly became popular for their ornamental value and their ability to stabilise streambanks. However, due to their aggressive growth and ability to outcompete native vegetation, they are now considered invasive in many areas. The trees have a very high level of nitrogen fixation and salinity tolerance, allowing them to thrive in poor soil conditions.

The Latin name, *Elaeagnus angustifolia*, refers to the species' classification within the genus *Elaeagnus*. The specific epithet, *angustifolia*, describes the characteristic of having narrow leaves.

What are the fruits of Russian olive trees used for?

The fruits of the Russian olive tree have been used for a variety of purposes throughout history. The fruits are edible and have a sweet taste, although they have a dry and mealy texture. They are about 1 cm wide and are orange-red in colour, covered in silvery scales. Each fruit contains a single seed, which can also be eaten.

In Iran, the dried powder of the fruit is mixed with milk to treat rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains. There is evidence that this practice is effective, with aqueous extracts of the fruit showing comparable efficacy to acetaminophen and ibuprofen in reducing osteoarthritis symptoms. The fruits are also used in a traditional table setting for Nowruz, a Persian spring celebration, where they are served in their own syrup as part of a fruit salad.

In addition to their medicinal and ceremonial uses, Russian olive fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be used as a seasoning in soups, or made into jellies and sherbets. However, the fruits must be fully ripe before consumption, as under-ripe fruits will taste astringent. Roasting the seeds of the fruit is also said to make a tasty treat.

The fruits of the Russian olive tree have also been used to make nanocapsules containing calcium carbonate, which have been found to increase calcium blood levels. They have also been used as drug carriers, with dried extracts of the fruit used to transport calcium carbonate, naproxen, and ibuprofen.

What is the height of a Russian olive tree?

The Russian olive tree, or Elaeagnus angustifolia, is a small tree that reaches varying heights depending on the source. Some sources state that the tree can grow to heights of 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters), while others claim it can reach up to 35 feet (11 meters) in height. The discrepancy may be due to different growing conditions and the fact that Russian olive trees are highly invasive, with some sources classifying them as noxious weeds.

These trees were once popular for landscaping due to their fast growth rate and attractive appearance but have fallen out of favor due to their invasive nature. They are still chosen by some gardeners for their low-maintenance and adaptability to challenging areas. However, it is important to check local regulations before planting Russian olive trees as they are illegal in some areas due to their invasive nature.

The trees have a dense growth habit and are useful as windbreaks and shade trees. They produce small, olive-shaped fruits that are edible for humans and attract birds. The foliage is leathery and covered in silvery scales on the undersides, giving the trees a distinctive appearance.

What are the flowers of Russian olive trees like?

The flowers of the Russian olive tree are highly aromatic, produced in clusters of one to three, and are about 1 cm long. They have a creamy yellow colour with a four-lobed calyx and appear in early summer. The flowers are followed by clusters of fruit, a small, orange-red drupe covered in silvery scales.

Russian olive trees are highly invasive in some parts of the United States and Canada. They were introduced to North America in the 1900s as a fast-growing, resilient plant to stave off erosion. However, they have since spread and overcrowded native vegetation.

The flowers of the Russian olive tree are melliferous, meaning they produce an abundance of nectar that attracts bees. The tree's fragrance is often described as nice, and its fruits are considered useful.

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