Spreading Oleaster Elaeagnus umbellata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- el-ee-AG-nus um-bell-AY-tuh
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.
Autumn olive is an invasive deciduous shrub or small tree in the Elaeagnaceae (oleaster) family native to Afghanistan and eastern Asia. It was introduced to the US in the 1800s, and recommended for use as an ornamental plant as well as for creating a windbreak, erosion control, wildlife habitats, and in forest restoration. Once its invasive nature was better known, it was no longer recommended for use. However, it has managed to survive naturalize. Many states have banned its sale. It can be found growing in disturbed sites such as meadows, grasslands, open fields, roadsides and woodlands. Eradication can be attempted by hand pulling young plants, making sure that all the roots are removed.
Elaeagnus means "olive tree" in Greek, and ubellata is Latin for "bearing umbles" in reference to the flower's inflorescence. Grows quickly to a mature height of 10 to 16 feet and a width of 20 to 30 feet.
Autumn olive grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist well-drained soils. It becomes quite competitive even in poor soils by fixing nitrogen in its roots. This plant survives where many other plants would struggle, it is highly tolerant of drought and erosion, but it does not tolerate wet sites.
It has sharp thorns, pale white to yellow heavily fragrant flowers, and vibrant edible red berries. Inside the fruits are thousands of tiny seeds that are dispersed by birds and small mammals. It threatens native species by out-competing them and interfering with natural nutrient cycling and plant succession.
Each tree is capable of producing up to 80 pounds of fruit.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Japanese beetles feed on the leaves. As mentioned, the plant is invasive in many areas of the USA especially the central and Midwestern regions. Several states have banned the sale of this plant. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Elaeagnus
- Species:
- umbellata
- Family:
- Elaeagnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Invasive shrub/small tree should not be planted.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern Asia, Afghanistan
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are enjoyed by birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- The fruit contains high amounts of lycopene are tart and sweet and can be consumed fresh, cooked, or dried.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 16 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The unripe berry is silvery yellow. It ripens to red, dotted with silver or brown scales and is edible. The 1/3-1/4 inch long fruits can be eaten raw, or dried or cooked. They are often used for jams and preserves.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Umbel
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Showy fragrant white tubular flowers are borne in clusters of 1-7 in the leaf axils. Blooms late spring to early summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, dark green (young leaves have silvery scales) with entire but wavy margins. 2-4 inches long and half as wide. They are dull green on the upper side and the underside can have brown scales.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Dark gray bark that is split and furrowed, with a dense covering of scales. As the plant ages, the bark peels in long, narrow strips.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Young branches have thorny, silvery scales and mature to dark brown.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Erosion
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
