| thorny olive |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: ELPU2 USDA ARS GRIN: 14928 ITIS: 502223 |
| Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Rhamnales: Elaeagnaceae |
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| Synonym(s): thorny elaeagnus, silverthorn | |
Thorny olive is a dense evergreen shrub that invades natural areas throughout the southeastern United States. The shrub is often multi-stemmed and short. Sharp shoots give it a thorny appearance. Shrubs can grow 3.3-26.3 ft. (1-8 m) tall. Shrubs are usually very dense with long shoots extending from the top. The leaves are alternate, oval to elliptical, with irregular wavy margins and silvery surfaces, 2-4 in. (5.1-10.2 cm) in length and thick. The axillary clusters of small, sweet-smelling, white to brown flowers develop in the fall. Plants rarely fruit, but fruit are small, red and dotted with small brown scales. Thorny olive closely resembles two other exotic olives, autumn olive and Russian olive. A high shade tolerance allows thorny olive to invade both in open areas and under forest canopies. The seeds are dispersed by animals, giving this plant the potential for rapid spread. Thorny olive is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States in 1830 as an ornamental. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Foliage; April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Mature fruit with leaves in March Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); January. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. Miller and K.V. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society. James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2005
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 1999.
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category II
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area - EARLY DRAFT
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 2
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council Severe Threat
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council Severe Threat
- Tennessee Noxious Weeds
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