Shrubs, evergreen, slightly scandent. Young branches with white and pale brown scales. Petiole 1-2.5 cm; leaf blade orbicular-ovate to broadly elliptic-ovate, sometimes orbicular, 5-7 × 4-6 cm, leathery, abaxially densely white scaly, adaxially with scattered white scales when young, apex acute to abruptly bluntly acuminate or rounded at both ends. Flowers few in axils. Pedicel 5-8(-10) mm, densely white scaly, sometimes also with reddish brown scales. Calyx tube campanulate, 4-5 mm, abruptly narrowed at base; lobes broadly ovate, slightly shorter than tube. Drupe oblong, 1.5-2 cm, white scaly. Fl. Sep-Oct(-Nov), fr. Mar-Apr.

Elaeagnus macrophylla is valued horticulturally as a wind-resistant, evergreen hedge plant and for its sweetly scented flowers and very early ripening fruit. The seeds are said to taste like peanuts when divested of the fibrous endocarp. Elaeagnus ×ebbingei Doorenbos is an artificial hybrid between E. macrophylla and E. pungens that is widely distributed in European and North American gardens.

Thickets near seashores. Jiangsu, Shandong, Taiwan, Zhejiang [Japan (including Ryukyu Islands), S Korea].