Category: Invasive
Botanical Name: Eleagnus umbellata
Common Name: Autumn Olive
Description: Leaves are very oblong with pointed tips, the edges of the leaves are curving and waved. While the tops of the leaves are bright green, their undersides are more whitish in color. Stems are honey brown speckled and woody. Produces dense clusters of lush red berries. A single plant can produce up to eight pounds! Flowers are small and cream colored, four petals with pointed edges connect to a thin tube. These pendulous flowers hang downward. Spreads through root suckering and self-seeding. Birds and wildlife love consuming the berries which assists in it’s spread. Reaches 0.75 to 1.5′ in height and has shrubby like growth producing a dense thicket.
Growing Conditions: Native to Japan. Introduce into the U.S in the 1830s utilized as a wildlife habitat, a soil stabilizer, and a windbreak. However, it rapidly out-competes native shrubs and grasslands which are detrimental to many wildlife’s food sources and habitat. Shades out many native plants through dense growth. Can tolerate almost any type of soil, can handle wet clay soil and is drought tolerant.
Plant Guide 