Spreading Oleaster Elaeagnus umbellata
Other Common Name(s):
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
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Eleagnus umbellata is an invasive deciduous shrub or small tree that becomes quite competitive even in poor soils. It can fix nitrogen in its roots. It has sharp thorns, pale white to yellow heavily fragrant flowers, and vibrant red berries. Seeds are dispersed by birds. It threatens native species by out-competing them and interfering with natural nutrient cycling and plant succession.
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Elaeagnus
- Species:
- umbellata
- Family:
- Elaeagnaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are enjoyed by birds.
- Edibility:
- The fruit contains high amounts of lycopene.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- The unripe berry is silvery yellow. It ripens to red, dotted with silver or brown and is edible.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
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Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, dark green (young leaves have silvery scales) with entire but wavy margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy
- Elaeagnus umbellata is often confused with:
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Elaeagnus pungens
- Native alternative(s) for Elaeagnus umbellata:
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Euonymus americanus
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Myrica cerifera
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Viburnum acerifolium
- Plants that fill a similar niche:
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Aronia arbutifolia
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Chionanthus retusus
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Aesculus californica
