New Mexico Wildflowers: Oleaster Family



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Russian Olive, Oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

A native of Asia, Russian Olives are popular xeriscape trees in New Mexico due to their resistance to cold and drought. Birds eat the fruit and spread the seeds, and Russian Olives are now fully established as a streamside tree in New Mexico. They are aggressive enough that in some places they're considered invasive. The flowers are yellow, but you're more likely to notice the handsome leaves (green above, silvery below) and olive-like fruit. Despite the name and the fruit, this tree is not in the Olive Family