Thorny Elaeagnus, Thorny Silverberry, Thorny Olive                   e-le-AG-nus PUN-jenz

• Broadleaf evergreen shrub, 10-15 ft (3-4.5 m) high, equal spread, dense spreading, irregular habit (esp. in shade).  Branches brown, with thorns, 5-8 cm long.  Leaves alternate, simple, oblong-elliptic, 5-10 cm long, margins entire and undulate, tip acute, base wedge-shaped, glossy dark green above, dull silvery below with clear or brown scales (spots) giving a silver sheen, major veins are brown.  Flowers perfect, silvery white, usually 3 in the leaf axils, fragrant, 12 mm long, tubular, appear in late fall or early winter.  Fruit 1.5-2 cm long, brown at first and then red.
• Sun to part shade.  Less dense in shade.  Adaptable to varied soils and can withstand considerable drought.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 6     Native to Japan.
• Caution: Elaeagnus pungens can become weedy and invasive; it is considered an invsive species in several states in the southeastern U.S..
• pungens: sharp, spiny, refers to thorns.
• Oregon State Univ. campus: northeast corner of Reed Lodge on Jefferson Ave. near 35th St.  It is a reversion of the cultivar 'Maculata'.