Russian Olive / Autumn Olive

Elaengnus angustifolia

Native to western and central Asia, Iran, from southern Russia and Kazakhstan to Turkey, parts of Pakistan and parts of India.

• It’s a thorny tree that can grow up to 35 feet (11 meters)

• Begins to flower and produce fruit in 3 years, the flowers grow in clusters of three and are extremely aromatic. 

• The shrub can fix nitrogen in its roots allowing it to grow on bare mineral substrates (rocky, almost like sand soil) 

• Vincent’s Forester Fun Fact: The fruit can be made into jellies or sherbets. The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw or else it will taste bitter. It is also said that the fruit has medicinal properties to ease pain.