Elaeagnus umbellata (Autumn Olive)


Botanical Information

FamilyElaeagnaceae
GenusElaeagnus
Speciesumbellata
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
OriginNative to Eastern Asia.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
The fruit is edible. Fully ripe fruits are juicy, sweet and tart. May be eaten fresh off the shrub, dried or cooked (pies, jams or preserves).
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone3
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-34 - (-40)
Temperature (°F)-22 - (-40)
Height22 - 45 cm
Spread45 - 76 cm
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

ShapeLarge, dense and sprawling.
LandscapeHedge and border planting.
CultivationFull sun and partial-shade. Moist and well-drained soils. Drought and erosion tolerant.
PestsLeaf spots, cankers, rust, verticillium wilt and crown gall.
Notable SpecimensJoany's Woods, West Williams, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada.
Bark/Stem DescriptionWoody stems/trunks that rise from the base with the largest trunk maturing to 15 cm in diameter. The trunk/branches have sharp thorns. Arching branches that dip to the ground. The bark on older trunks peel in long. thin and narrow strips.
Leaf DescriptionSpeckled and thorny stems. Elliptic leaves that are 5 - 8 cm long with entire but often wavy margins. Scales appearing on the underside.
Flower DescriptionFragrant, funnel-shaped, 4-petaled flowers. 8 mm long and bloom in clusters (1 - 4 umbels) dropping from the leaf axils.
Fruit DescriptionFleshy, abundant and scale-dotted fruit.
Colour DescriptionStems are silvery-golden-brown in colour. The leaves are a greyish-green with distinct silver scales. The flowers are a silvery-white to dull yellow colour. The fruit ripens to a speckled red colour.
Texture DescriptionThe leaves appear leathery.

Photographs