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
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Fine
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth, red and thorny
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
