Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata · Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Elliptical to ovate with an acute to rounded tip
Margin
Entire, sometimes slightly wavy
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with a prominent midrib and looping lateral veins
Key Features
Silvery-white undersides of the leaves speckled with tiny brown scales, alternate leaf arrangement, wavy entire margins, and silvery-brown twigs that often feature sharp thorn-like spurs
Description
Autumn Olive is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 20 feet tall, forming dense thickets. It features alternate leaves with a striking silvery-green underside, fragrant pale yellow flowers in spring, and an abundance of small, round, red berries speckled with silver dots in autumn. Its distinctive silvery foliage and vigorous multi-stemmed habit make it easily recognizable.
Habitat
Thrives in disturbed areas, forest edges, old fields, roadsides, and open woods; highly adaptable to poor, dry, and nitrogen-deficient soils due to its nitrogen-fixing ability; requires full to partial sun
Native Range
Native to eastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea); introduced to North America as an ornamental and for wildlife habitat, where it is now widely naturalized and considered invasive across much of the eastern and central United States