Elaeagnus pungens aka Thorny Olive

Taxonomy ID: 14366

Elaeagnus pungens, also known as thorny olive, spiny oleaster, and silverthorn, is a species of flowering plant in the Elaeagnaceae family. Native to Asia, including China and Japan, it has also been introduced as a landscaping and ornamental plant in the southeastern United States, where it can sometimes become invasive. This bushy evergreen shrub can grow up to 4m tall and has slightly spiny brown shoots. Its bright yellow leaves are elliptical in shape and are narrowly margined with dark green. The plant produces small, fragrant white flowers in autumn. Compared to the similar E. pungens 'Maculata', it is more upright and less likely to revert to green. The young branchlets of this shrub are covered in brown scales and typically have thorns. Its wavy-margined leaves are lustrous green on top and silvery-white with tiny brown scales below. In late fall, creamy white, bell-shaped flowers bloom in clusters. While not particularly showy, these flowers emit a strong fragrance reminiscent of gardenias. The plant also bears small, reddish-brown fruits in spring. The genus name, Elaeagnus, combines the Greek words elaia, meaning the olive tree, and agnos, meaning chaste-tree. The specific epithet, pungens, refers to the sharp thorny spines found on this species. In Virginia, Elaeagnus pungens is considered invasive.

Common names

Thorny Olive, Spiny Oleaster, Oleaster

More information about Thorny Olive

How difficult is it to take care of Thorny Olive

Caring for Thorny Olive is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

What is the region of origin of Thorny Olive

Thorny Olive’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan.

What are the water needs for Thorny Olive

Thorny Olive should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Thorny Olive

Thorny Olive loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Is Thorny Olive toxic to humans/pets?

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

What's the dormancy for Thorny Olive

During the cold period, it is common for Thorny Olive to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

More info:
Wikipedia