ExplorePlants

autumn olive

Elaeagnus umbellata

Autumn olive is a bushy plant that has pretty silver leaves and small, yellow flowers. It produces tasty red berries that many animals love to eat!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The autumn olive is a large shrub with oblong leaves, distinctively silvery-green above and covered with tiny silver scales underneath. It has small, fragrant, pale yellow flowers in spring, followed by abundant, shiny, round red berries speckled with silver dots in autumn. Its dense, irregular branching gives it a bushy appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyElaeagnaceaeGenusElaeagnus
autumn olive
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgenitrogen_fixing trait badgeshrub trait badge
autumn olive

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Despite being a shrub, it can grow as tall as a small house!

Its bright red berries are packed with powerful antioxidants, even more than blueberries!

Native to Asia, this plant was brought to other countries many years ago!

The autumn olive is an amazing survivor, growing in tough places where other plants struggle!

Special abilities

Ability

Nitrogen Nurturer

Autumn olive can make its own soil fertilizer using special root partners, helping it grow strong even in poor soil.

Ability

Berry Machine

Autumn olive has a super-berry power, making thousands of fruits to spread its seeds widely and feed many animals.

Ability

Drought Defender

Autumn olive has tough leaves and roots that let it survive even when there's not much water.

Ability

Quick Conqueror

Autumn olive has incredibly fast growth and spreads quickly, allowing it to take over new areas rapidly.

Measurements & details

Height
300-600 cm
Spread
300-500 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

eats

American Robin

Turdus migratorius

Consumes berries and spreads seeds far away.

eats

Cedar Waxwing

Bombycilla cedrorum

Feeds on abundant berries, especially in autumn.

pollinates

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits fragrant flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

eats

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Browses its leaves and twigs, especially in winter.

symbiotic with

Frankia Bacteria

Frankia alni

Fixes nitrogen in its root nodules, enriching the soil.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

While the berries are tasty, make sure to ask an adult before eating any wild plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is autumn olive?

300-600 cm

How wide does autumn olive spread?

300-500 cm

How big are the flowers on autumn olive?

0.5-1 cm

When does autumn olive bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is autumn olive edible?

Yes

Is autumn olive toxic?

None

What is autumn olive's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is autumn olive pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

Where to spot

More Plants