Elaeagnus Umbellata, Autumn Olive Identification Fact Sheet

This is the tree, shrub, and vine identification project fact sheet for Elaeagnus umbellata, Autumn Olive. This fact sheet may not be copied in part or in whole and submitted as one's own project, but may be cited as a source of facts during one's own research. See tree, shrub, and vine identification project main page for links to other plants, and Invasive Plants slideshow for pictures.
AUTUMN OLIVE

Plant Botanical Name: Elaeagnus umbellata

Common Name: Autumn Olive

Family Name: Elaeagnaceae

Plant is Native to What Country: Korea, Japan, and China.

Plant Height at Maturity: Roughly 15 feet high and wide.

Plant Habit and Form: Deciduous shrubs or small trees, with multiple stems. Plants grow fast, and exhibit a medium texture. Can look weedy in appearance.

Foliage: Simple elliptic leaves arranged alternately, 2-4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Leaves silver green, undersides covered with silver scales and silver in appearance.

Bark: Young twigs a silvery brown covered in lenticels. Old stems mostly smooth, dull gray bark.

Flower: Flowers ivory white, fragrant, funnel-shaped in clusters. Flowers are 0.5 inches big and bloom in May.

Fruit/Seed: Seed enclosed within red globose fruits. The fruits are 1/3 inch big and are covered with brown scales.

Growing Requirements: Preferring acidic sandy soils, Autumn Olive will grow in most areas. Will not tolerate deep shade and doesn't like poorly drained soil.

Problems and Drawbacks: Can have a weedy appearance and is invasive. Seedlings establish large root systems early and can be hard to eradicate.

Special Uses: Valued for its foliage, fragrant flowers and fruits.

ID Tips/Remarks: Brown lenticels cover entire plant.

Bibliography: http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/e/elaumb/elaumb1.html,
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/elaumb/all.html, http://www.plants.usda.gov/java/charProfile?symbol=ELUM.