| Elaeagnus angustifolia; Russian Silverberry, Oleaster, or Russian-olive is a species of Elaeagnus, native to western and central Asia, from southern Russia and Kazakhstan to Turkey and Iran. It is a usually thorny shrub or small tree growing to 5–7 m in height. Its stems, buds, and leaves have a dense covering of silvery to rusty scales. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, 4–9 cm long and 1-2.5 cm broad, with a smooth margin. The highly aromatic flowers are produced in clusters of 1-3 together, 1 cm long with a four-lobed creamy yellow corolla; they appear in early summer and are later replaced by clusters of fruits, a small cherry-like drupe 1-1.7 cm long, orange-red covered in silvery scales. The fruit is edible and sweet, though with a dryish mealy texture. Its common name comes from its similarity in appearance to olive that is trees of the entirely separate family Oleaceae. The shrub can fix nitrogen in its roots, enabling it to grow on bare, mineral substrates. The dried powder of the fruits are used mixed with milk in Iran for rheumatoid arthritis and joint pains. These plants need full sun and will grow in almost any well drained soil; however, loamy soil is the best. Propagation: Seed should germinate in late winter or early spring, though it may take several months. A warm stratification for 4 weeks followed by 12 weeks cold stratification in the refrigerator can help. The seed usually germinates quite well. Prick out the seedlings into individual pot as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when they are at least 15cm tall. 6 seeds | 
