Family: Elaeagnaceae
autumn olive
Stephen L. Solheim
Merel R. Black
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Elaeagnus: Greek elala for "the olive" and agnos Greek name for Chaste-tree Vitix agnus-castus
Plants: erect, perennial, to 20' tall shrub; stems twigs have coppery-silver scales
Leaves: oval, 1"-3" long; coppery-silver scales
Flowers: cream
Fruits: pink-red berry
Habitat: sun - partial sun; disturbed, fields, woods, wood edges
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive
Plants: erect, perennial, to 20' tall shrub; stems twigs have coppery-silver scales
Leaves: oval, 1"-3" long; coppery-silver scales
Flowers: cream
Fruits: pink-red berry
Habitat: sun - partial sun; disturbed, fields, woods, wood edges
Invasiveness: Restricted Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive
Introduced from Asia, this is a highly invasive and destructive shrub. The planting of this species was formerly encouraged by various governmental agencies to “improve” wildlife habitat. It has now spread aggressively to prairies, fields, roadsides, old homesteads, forest margins and understories, bluffs, oak barrens, railroad tracks, and lakeshores; even on the gravel and dolomitic shores of Lake Michigan. First collected in 1978 and much more widespread than the map indicates; students of our flora are encouraged to collect (and destroy!) it.
Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Invasive Plants: Photos, descriptions, information University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Trees: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Note: INVASIVE. Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
Emmet J. Judziewicz
Stephen L. Solheim
Emmet J. Judziewicz
S. Kelly Kearns
Damon A. Smith
Robert Bierman
Merel R. Black
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
Paul Drobot
