autumn olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
The berries contain up to seventeen times more of the antioxidant lycopene by weight than fresh tomatoes.
- Scientific name
- Elaeagnus umbellata
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Rosales › Elaeagnaceae › Elaeagnus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Disturbed forest margins, open woodlands, old fields, roadsides, and pastures
- Diet
- Autotroph (photosynthesis)
- Range
- China, Japan, Korea, North America, Europe
- Size
- 3–6 m tall and wide
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Herbicide application and mechanical removal efforts aimed at controlling its invasive spread
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to humans. Its branches bear sharp thorn-like spurs that can scratch bare skin; wash any cuts with soap and water. The berries are non-toxic and edible, but visitors should avoid transporting fruit or seeds to prevent spreading this invasive plant to uninfested natural areas.
Elaeagnus umbellata is known as Japanese silverberry , umbellata oleaster , autumn olive , autumn elaeagnus , or spreading oleaster . The species is indigenous to eastern Asia and ranges from the Himalayas eastwards to Japan. Because it fixes atmospheric nitrogen in its roots, it often grows vigorously and competitively in infertile soils.
Photo: Shawn, CC0, via iNaturalist
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