Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Type
Tree
Shrub
Origin
Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Mediterranean, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia, China
Madagascar
Types
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Euphorbia tithymaloides tithymaloides, Euphorbia tithymaloides angustifolia
Number of Varieties
308
0
40000
👆🏻
Habitat
fencerows, Forest edges, mine spoils, Old fields, open Woodlands, Pastures, Roadsides, sand dunes
subtropical regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-89-13
0
99
👆🏻
AHS Heat Zone
8-1
-
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19
H2, 13, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Upright/Erect
Plant Size
Minimum Height
370.00 cm90.00 cm
0
3900
👆🏻
Minimum Width
370.00 cm30.00 cm
0
6350
👆🏻
Plant Color
Flower Color
White, Yellow green, Silver
Purple, Orange, Pink, Magenta
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Yellow, Silver
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green, Gray Green, Burgundy
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green, Gray Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green, Gray Green
Shape
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Ovate
Thorns
✔
✘
✔
✘
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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
Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Well drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Indeterminate
Repeat Bloomer
✔
✘
✔
✘
Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Container, Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Vegetative Reproduction
Seedlings, Softwood cuttings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Plants
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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 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
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Showy
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
Bold
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Evergreen
✔
✘
✔
✘
Invasive
✔
✘
✔
✘
Self-Sowing
✔
✘
✔
✘
Attracts
Birds
Hummingbirds
Allergy
Asthma
Carcinogenic, Diarrhea, Skin irritation, Toxic
Uses
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Cottage Garden, Showy Purposes
Beauty Benefits
-
Skin Problems
Edible Uses
✔
✘
✔
✘
Environmental Uses
Wildlife
Air purification
Plant Benefits
Medicinal Uses
-
Asthma, Emetic, Inflammation, Intestinal worms
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Leaves, Root
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
Tea-like beverage can be brewed, Used as Ornamental plant, 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
Container, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall, Tropical
Botanical Name
ELAEAGNUS angustifolia
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Common Name
Russian Olive
Devil's Backbone
In Hindi
रूस ओलिव
Devil's Backbone
In German
russische Olive
Devil's Backbone
In French
Olive russe
Backbone du Diable
In Spanish
oliva ruso
El espinazo del diablo
In Greek
Ρωσική Ελιάς
Devil's Backbone
In Portuguese
Olive russo
Espinha do Diabo
In Polish
rosyjski Olive
Kręgosłup diabła
In Latin
Russian Olive
Narum diaboli
Kingdom
Plantae
Plantae
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Rhamnales
Malpighiales
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Crassulaceae
Genus
Elaeagnus
Euphorbia
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Tribe
-
Euphorbieae
Subfamily
-
Euphorbioideae
Number of Species
402000
1
27800
👆🏻