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Elaeagnus angustifolia is often confused with:
Elaeagnus umbellata Eleagnus umbellata
Native alternative(s) for Elaeagnus angustifolia:
Ilex vomitoria Ilex vomitoria
Prunus caroliniana Carolina Cherry Laurel Flowers
Viburnum rafinesqueanum Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Broussonetia papyrifera Broussonetia papyrifera
Elaeagnus pungens Form
Elaeagnus umbellata Eleagnus umbellata

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
el-ee-AG-nus an-gus-tee-FOH-lee-uh
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

A large thorny deciduous shrub or small tree, that has a rounded form but can be leggy loose and irregular so it will need to be pruned to maintain a tidy appearance. 

Plant in full sun, as it does not tolerate shade, in light sandy or loamy soil but it will tolerate a range of soil types.  It is drought and salt-spray tolerant but dislikes the summer heat.  It is easy to transplant. However, it is an invasive plant and should not be used.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant has vigorous growth, the seeds are easily and widely dispersed by birds. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#small tree#invasive#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#silvery#silver leaves#wildlife plant#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#high maintenance#food source wildlife#fast growing#salt spray tolerant#aggressive#red fruits#star shaped flowers#food source summer#deciduous tree#food source fall#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#small tree#invasive#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#silvery#silver leaves#wildlife plant#yellow flowers#salt tolerant#high maintenance#food source wildlife#fast growing#salt spray tolerant#aggressive#red fruits#star shaped flowers#food source summer#deciduous tree#food source fall#bird friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Elaeagnus
    Species:
    angustifolia
    Family:
    Elaeagnaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    An essential oil obtained from the flowers of this plant is often used in perfumes. A gum comes from this plant that is used in the textile industry.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Wildlife Value:
    Fruits attract birds.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is particularly resistant to damage by deer.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Fine
    Appendage:
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Red/Burgundy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Achene but appears drupe-like because of a fleshy outer hypanthium. They resemble olives are 1/2" silver in late summer turning red in the fall from August-October.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Description:
    Small, fragrant, silvery-white to yellow tubular flowers in late spring to early summer April-June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Silver-gray to gray-green leaves; leaves hold late into fall.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth, red and thorny
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Spines/Thorns
    Weedy