Elaeagnus is a genus of about 90 species of flowering plants in the family Elaeagnaceae. Species of the genus are commonly known as silverberry or oleaster.

Description

Elaeagnus plants are deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees.

Taxonomy

The genus Elaeagnus was erected in 1754 by Carl Linnaeus, who attributed the name to Joseph Pitton de Tournefort. There is agreement that the name is based on Theophrastus's use of the Ancient Greek word (, latinized to ) as the name of a shrub. The first part of the name, elae-, is from , 'olive'. Sources differ on the origin of the second part: it may be from , Vitex agnus-castus, the chaste tree, In either case, the second part is derived from (), meaning 'pure', 'chaste'.

Species

, Plants of the World Online accepts the following 93 species and three hybrids:

Accepted hybrids

  • Elaeagnus × maritima
  • Elaeagnus × reflexa
  • Elaeagnus × submacrophylla

Species names with uncertain taxonomic status

The status of the following species is unresolved:

  • Elaeagnus asakawana <small>Sa.Kurata</small>
  • Elaeagnus cyanea <small>Aiton ex Steud.</small>
  • Elaeagnus emarginata <small>Colla</small>
  • Elaeagnus fruticosa <small>(Lour.) A.Chev.</small>
  • Elaeagnus fusca <small>Pépin ex Lem.</small>
  • Elaeagnus laetevirens <small>Lindb.</small>
  • Elaeagnus nagasakiana <small>Nakai</small>
  • Elaeagnus oleaster <small>L.</small>
  • Elaeagnus × pyramidalis <small>Browicz & Bugala</small> (E. commutata × E. multiflora)

Habitat

The vast majority of the species are native to temperate and subtropical regions of Asia.

Ecology

Elaeagnus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora elaeagnisella and the Gothic moths. 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.

The fruit is acidic and somewhat astringent.

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 (syn. E. × ebbingei)
  • Elaeagnus umbellata

The hybrid Elaeagnus × submacrophylla and the cultivar 'Gilt Edge' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

thumb|Berries from a large-fruited cultivar

thumb|[[Elaeagnus oldhamii]]

References

  • eFloras Chinese Plant list: Elaeagnus