Pollinator plant

Silverthorn

Elaeagnus pungens

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Common names

28 names · 16 languages
EnglishYour language
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Other languages (15)
Dutch
French
  • Chalef épineux
  • Oléastre épineux[2][3]
Catalan
  • Eleagne punxent[3]
Chinese (Simplified)
+4 more namesShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • hlošina pichlavá[3]
Finnish
  • poimukilsepensas[3]
German
Italian
Japanese
  • ナワシログミ[3]
Polish
  • Oliwnik kłujący[3]
Russian
  • Лох колючий[3]
Slovak
  • hlošina pichľavá[3]
Spanish
Turkish
  • Süs İğdesi[3]
Sources & name notes (4)

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

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

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

[1] Elaeagnus pungens — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Silverthorn — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Thorny Elaeagnus — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Thorny Olive — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Elaeagnus pungens.
[2] Elaeagnus pungens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • silverthorn — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Stekelige olijfwilg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Spiny Oleaster — results[0].names[5]; 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.
  • thorny olive — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Olivo espinoso — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Oléastre épineux — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Olivagno pungente — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
[3] Elaeagnus pungens — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Source records
  • silverthorn — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Stekelige olijfwilg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Spiny Oleaster — results[0].names[5]; 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.
  • thorny olive — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Olivo espinoso — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Oléastre épineux — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Olivagno pungente — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • ナワシログミ — results[0].names[3]; 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.
  • 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.
  • Лох колючий — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 162214; Elaeagnus pungens.
  • Oliwnik kłujący — results[0].names[20]; 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.
[4] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Elaeagnus pungens ↗

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.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Elaeagnus pungens is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Elaeagnaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Plant habit
Arching; Dense; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Elaeagnus species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Native range
EC. & SE. China, S. Korea (Mt. Miruk), SC. & S. Japan.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Medium
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
4.00 m high × 4.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Evergreen

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
6-10
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Shade, Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Fruit, Seed
Functions
Nitrogen fixer, Hedge, Fragrant
Edibility
5 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

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.

Sources and references

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

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Elaeagnus pungens — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 2096179; ID 6DZVF; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 2096179; ID 6DZVF; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Elaeagnus pungens — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Plant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering season
    Relevant sections
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 3, column 2, entry Elaeagnus species (top 472 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Elaeagnus pungens — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1380564; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1354612, 1354613, 1354614, 1354615, 1354616

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.