Elaeagnus angustifolia is a semi deciduous nitrogen fixing tree, commonly known as the Russian Olive, Oleaster or Wild Olive. This species of Elaeagnus is native to western and central Asia, Iran, from southern Russia and Kazakhstan to Turkey, parts of Pakistan and parts of India. It is a tough, thorny tree that can grow up to 12 metres high, although 8 metres is more common. It has been used extensively in Europe in polluted urban environments and for soil stabilisation and reclamation work.

Russian Olive begins life as a loose-growing shrub, eventually becoming a small, multi-trunked tree. It has a rapidly spreading root system and occurs naturally in dry places such as dunes and dry riverbeds, and does well in calcareous soils. The crown is open and can grow to a width of 5–7 m. The leaves are pale green, lanceolate and willow-like. They have a velvety underside which gives the tree a striking silvery white colour, especially when there is movement from the wind. The stems, buds and leaves are densely covered with tiny silvery grey to reddish brown scales

The tree begins to flower and fruit after 3 years. The flowers appear in early summer and are bell-shaped with a four-lobed creamy yellow calyx, about 1cm across, often growing in clusters of 2 or 3. Like its cousin, Elaeagnus ebbingei, they are strongly aromatic and are followed by similar clusters of fruit, a small cherry-like drupe, 1-1,7 cm long, orange-red and covered with silvery scales. These are edible and have a slightly sweet taste, but a dry, mealy texture. The fruit is eaten fresh and dried, sometimes presented in its own syrup in a fruit salad in parts of Central Asia. The fruit is also readily eaten by wildlife and the seeds spread by many species of birds.