Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Vegetable
Origin
Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Mediterranean, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia, China
Mexico, Central America
Types
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Sechium edule, Mirliton, Vegetable Pear
Number of Varieties
307
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
fencerows, Forest edges, mine spoils, Old fields, open Woodlands, Pastures, Roadsides, sand dunes
Hillside
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-810-15
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
8-1
12-3
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19
H1, H2, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Vining/Climbing
Plant Size
Minimum Height
370.00 cm610.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
370.00 cm25.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Yellow green, Silver
Light Green
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Yellow, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
-
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Irregular
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall
Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Dry Conditions
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Vegetative Reproduction
Seedlings, vegetative cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water
Medium
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
pruning needed for strong structure
Remove damaged fruit, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Canker, fungus, Insects, Leaf spot, Red blotch, Verticillium Wilt
Aphids, Powdery mildew, Red blotch, Soft scales
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Dry Conditions
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Fruits
Showy Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Edible Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrance
Fragrant Flower
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Fruit
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Leaf
✔
✘
✔
✘
Fragrant Bark/Stem
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Foliage
✔
✘
✔
✘
Showy Bark
✔
✘
✔
✘
Foliage Texture
Fine
Coarse
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Bees, Flying insects
Allergy
Asthma
-
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Farmland
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Wildlife
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
-
Acne, Anti-oxidant, constipation, Thyroid problems
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Fruits, Leaves, Root, Stem
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Culinary use, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Used As Outdoor Plant
✔
✘
✔
✘
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Edible, Herb, Vegetable, Tropical, Vine
Botanical Name
ELAEAGNUS angustifolia
SECHIUM edule
Common Name
Russian Olive
Chayote, Choko, christophene, christophine, cho-cho, pipinola
In Hindi
रूस ओलिव
Chayote
In German
russische Olive
Chayote
In French
Olive russe
Chayote
In Spanish
oliva ruso
Chayote
In Greek
Ρωσική Ελιάς
Chayote
In Portuguese
Olive russo
chuchu
In Polish
rosyjski Olive
Chayote
In Latin
Russian Olive
chayote
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Rhamnales
Violales
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Genus
Elaeagnus
Sechium
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Sicyeae
Subfamily
-
Cucurbitoideae
Number of Species
405
1
27800
👆🏻