thorny olive
(Elaeagnus pungens Thunb.)

Overview

Appearance

Elaeagnus pungens 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.

Foliage

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.

Flowers

The axillary clusters of small, sweet-smelling, white to brown flowers develop in the fall.

Fruit

Plants rarely fruit, but fruit are small, red and dotted with small brown scales.

Ecological Threat

Elaeagnus pungens closely resembles two other exotic olives, autumn olive and Russian olive. A high shade tolerance allows Elaeagnus pungens to invade both in open areas and under forest canopies. The seeds are dispersed by animals, giving this plant the potential for rapid spread. This plant is native to eastern Asia and was first introduced into the United States in 1830 as an ornamental.

Resources

• Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
• A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alabama Invasive Plant Council
• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 2
• Illinois Exotic Weed Act
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• Jil Swearingen, personal communication, 2009-2017
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• National Park Service, National Capital Region Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List
• Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
• Non-Native Invasive Plants of the City of Alexandria, Virginia
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
• South Carolina Plant Pest List
• Tennessee Noxious Weeds
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References