A shrub or small tree with a dense crown of low branches, growing to a height of 6 m and a diameter of 10 cm.

Description

Distinguishing Features - Leaves: 4 - 8 cm long, lance-shaped, without teeth, short-stalked; colouration: dull grayish-green with subtle veins above, silvery, scaly, and brown-dotted underneath. Bark: grayish-brown; thin, grooved and shedding in long strips. Twigs: silvery, scaly when young, becoming reddy-brown; long and slender; often ending in short spine. Flowers: 10 mm long; bell-shaped; with four calyx lobes, yellow inside, silvery outside; short-stalked; scattered along twigs at leaf bases. Fruit: 10 - 12 mm long; berrylike, elliptical, yellow to brown with silvery scales, shiny; sweet edible pulp; large brown stone; scattered along twig.

Habitat

Native to Europe and Asia; introduced to North America in British Columbia east to Ontario, southeast to New England; in moist soil conditions; primarily in valleys.

Notes

The fruit of the Russian Olive provides food for cedar waxwings, robins, and grosbeaks; also pheasants and quail.

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