Plant Details

Elaeagnus pungens

Silverthorn

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Common names

27 names · 16 languages
EnglishYour language
Other languages (15)
Dutch
  • Stekelige olijfwilg[2]
French
  • Chalef épineux
  • Oléastre épineux[2]
Catalan
  • Eleagne punxent[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • hlošina pichlavá[2]
Finnish
  • poimukilsepensas[2]
German
  • Dornige Ölweide[2]
  • Stechende Ölweide[1]
  • Stechölweide[2]
Italian
  • Olivagno pungente[2]
Japanese
  • ナワシログミ[2]
Polish
  • Oliwnik kłujący[2]
Russian
  • Лох колючий[2]
Slovak
  • hlošina pichľavá[2]
Spanish
  • Olivo espinoso[2]
Turkish
  • Süs İğdesi[2]
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Spiny Oleaster (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 167702; taxon 6DZVF.
  • Stechende Ölweide (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 167703; taxon 6DZVF.
[2] Elaeagnus pungens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • thorny olive — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • silverthorn — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • ナワシログミ — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Olivo espinoso — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Spiny Oleaster — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Oléastre épineux — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • hlošina pichlavá — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 胡颓子 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Stekelige olijfwilg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 羊奶子 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 卢都子 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 半春子 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 三月枣 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 半含春 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 甜棒子 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • 胡頹子 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Dornige Ölweide — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Stechölweide — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Лох колючий — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Oliwnik kłujący — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Olivagno pungente — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • poimukilsepensas — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Eleagne punxent — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • hlošina pichľavá — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Süs İğdesi — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.

General information

Scientific name: Elaeagnus pungens
Accepted name (Kew): Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Elaeagnaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Elaeagnus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Silverthorn
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Evergreen
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Arching, Dense, Erect, Spreading

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Seed
Edibility rating:
(5)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Nitrogen fixer, Hedge, Fragrant

Description

Fruit - can be consumed both raw and cooked. The size of the fruit is comparable to that of a large black currant, but the seed is quite large. The fruit has a subtle and sour taste when fully ripe, but can be astringent if not ripe. It is suitable for making preserves, beverages, etc. The oval fruit is about 15 mm long. Seed - can be eaten both raw and cooked. It can be eaten along with the fruit, but the seed is quite fibrous. The taste is somewhat reminiscent of peanuts. The seed contains 42.2% protein and 23.1% fat at zero moisture content.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1379863; name ID 2784975; Elaeagnus Tourn. ex L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1380564; name ID 2785200; Elaeagnus pungens Thunb..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Elaeagnus pungens

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2096179, ID 6DZVF: Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Elaeagnus pungens — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Growth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .