Synonym(s):
Family: Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Shrub
Autumn olive is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the Oleaster family (Elaeagnaceae) that grows up to 20 feet in height. Leaves are dark green, alternate, oval to lanceolate, and un-toothed. The underside is covered with silver-white scales. Small, light-yellow flowers are borne along twigs after the leaves have appeared early in the growing season.
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Autumn olive.
Ecological Threat: It exhibits prolific fruiting and rapid growth that suppresses native plants. It is widely disseminated by birds and can easily adapt to many sites. Due to its nitrogen-fixing capabilities, it has the capacity to adversely affect the nitrogen cycle of native communities that may depend on infertile soils.
Biology & Spread: The small, round, juicy fruits are reddish to pink, dotted with scales, and produced in great quantity. Birds forage on its fruits and contributing to seed dispersal.
History: Autumn olive was introduced from China and Japan into the United States in 1830 and widely planted as an ornamental, wildlife habitat restoration and as windbreaks.
U.S. Habitat: It grows well in a variety of soils including sandy, loamy, and somewhat clayey textures with a pH range of 4.8-6.5. It has nitrogen-fixing root nodules which allow it to thrive in poor soils. Mature trees tolerate light shade, but produce more fruits in full sun, and seedlings may be shade intolerant. It does not do well on wet sites or in densely forested areas. It is drought tolerant and may invade grasslands and sparse woodlands. Typical habitats are disturbed areas, roadsides, pastures and fields.
U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: China, Korea, Japan
U.S. Present: AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Distribution in Texas: Reported invasive in CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, and WI
Invaders of Texas Map: Elaeagnus umbellata
EDDMapS: Elaeagnus umbellata
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Elaeagnus umbellata
Native alternatives include: spicebush (Lindera benzoin), northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), black haw (Viburnum prunifolium), gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), winterberry (Ilex verticillata).
Manual- Seedlings and sprouts can be hand-pulled when the soil is moist to insure removal of the
root system. Note: On larger plants, cutting alone results in thicker, denser growth. Burning during
the dormant season also results in vigorous re-sprouting.
Chemical- It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available general use herbicides
such as glyphosate. Foliar application has proven effective in controlling these species. Since
glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide it will affect all green vegetation with which it comes into
contact. Care should be taken to avoid impacting native plant species. Glyphosate herbicides are
recommended because they are biodegradable. Follow label and state requirements.
Rehder, Alfred. 1967. Manual of Cultivated Trees and Shrubs: Hardy in North America, The MacMillan Co., New York
Bailey, L.H. and E.Z. Bailey. 1977. Hortus Third: A Concise Dictionary of Plants Cultivated in the United States and Canada, MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., New York.
Swearingen, J., K. Reshetiloff, B. Slattery, and S. Zwicker. 2002. Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas. National Park Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 82 pp.
www.vnps.org/invasive/inveleag.htm, plants.usda.gov:8080/plants//profile?symbol=ELUM
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/elaeumb.html, www.forestryimages.org
USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Forest Health Protection's Invasive Plants Website (http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive%5Fplants/weeds)
Google Search: Elaeagnus umbellata
Google Images: Elaeagnus umbellata
NatureServe Explorer: Elaeagnus umbellata
USDA Plants: Elaeagnus umbellata
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Elaeagnus umbellata
Bugwood Network Images: Elaeagnus umbellata