Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

autumn olive

Elaeagnus umbellata

Thunb.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Shrub

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): autumn olive, oleaster, silverberry

Family: Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Flower

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Bark

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Bark

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Plant

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Foliage

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Plant

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Infestation

Chris Evans, University of Illinois

Twig/Shoot

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Foliage

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Fruit

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry

Infestation

David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia

Flower

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Fruit

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Feature

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Flower

Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University

Seed

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Flower

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Description

Appearance
Elaeagnus umbellata is a deciduous shrub from 3-20 ft. (0.9-6.1 m) in height with thorny branches. It is easily recognized by the silvery, dotted underside of the leaves.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, 2-3 in. (5-8 cm) long and 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide. The margins are entire and undulate. Leaves are bright green to gray green above and silver scaly beneath with short petioles.
Flowers
Small, yellowish tubular flowers are abundant and occur in clusters of 5 to 10 near the stems from February to June.
Fruit
Fruits are round, red, juicy drupes which are finely dotted with silvery to silvery-brown scales. Each drupe contains one seed. Fruits ripen from August to November.
Ecological Threat
Elaeagnus umbellata invades old fields, woodland edges, and other disturbed areas. It can form a dense shrub layer which displaces native species and closes open areas. Elaeagnus umbellata is native to China and Japan and was introduced into North America in 1830. Since then, it has been widely planted for wildlife habitat, mine reclamation, and shelterbelts. It is a non-leguminous nitrogen fixer.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Ornamental, Potential for erosion control

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Rhamnales
Family: Elaeagnaceae
Genus: Elaeagnus
Subject: Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.

Resources