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Elaeagnus umbellata

Common Name: autumn olive

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a - 8b

Growth Habit: Shrub

Origin: China and Japan

FISC Category: 2

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: Introduced in US 1830, earliest voucher in Florida 1958

IFAS Assessment:

  • North: HIGH INVASION RISK
  • Central: HIGH INVASION RISK
  • South: HIGH INVASION RISK
Elaeagnus umbellata
Nancy Loewenstein, Auburn University, Bugwood.org
Elaeagnus umbellata
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org

Description

Deciduous bushy shrub to 6 m tall with thorny branches. Leaves alternate, short-stalked, elliptic, 5-8 cm long, margins entire or wavy, silver scaly below. Small, white, tubular, fragrant flowers in clusters. Fruit a showy red berry dotted with silvery scales.

Habitat

Forest openings and open forests

Comments

Widely established in natural areas in Georgia and to north. Seeds dispersed by mammals and birds.

Map of species distribution

Control Methods

  • Manual: NA
  • Chemical: Foliar (1% imazapyr), basal bark (20% triclopyr ester), cut-stump (5% imazapyr or 20% glyphosate, Miller et al.)
  • Biological: NA

Control Notes

Note: Bag and remove all fruits during removal projects

References

Dave's Garden. 2013. PlantFiles: Autumn olive, Elaeagnus umbellata. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/32215/. Accessed on December 9, 2013.

Miller, J.H., E.B. Chambliss, and N.J. Loewenstein. 2010. A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Southern Research Station. Asheville, NC.

Miller, J.H., S.T. Manning, and S.F. Enloe. 2010. A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Southern Research Station. Asheville, NC.

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