View source for Elaeagnus umbellata

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Elaeagnus umbellata1.jpg
|status=LC
|status_system=IUCN3.1
|status_ref=<ref>{{cite iucn|author=Plummer, J.|year=2021|title=''Elaeagnus umbellata''|article-number=e.T169273702A169300299|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T169273702A169300299.en|access-date=13 July 2023}}</ref>
| genus = Elaeagnus
| species = umbellata
| authority = [[Carl Peter Thunberg|Thunb.]]
}}

'''''Elaeagnus umbellata''''' is a species of flowering plant known as '''Japanese silverberry''',<ref name=NISI /> '''umbellata oleaster''',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fruit.cornell.edu/berry/production/pdfs/autumnolive.pdf|title=Autumn olive: weed or new cash crop?|author=Black B, Fordham I|publisher=New York Berry News|year=2007|access-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref> '''autumn olive''',<ref name=NISI /><ref name=GRIN>{{GRIN | access-date = 21 December 2017}}</ref> '''autumn elaeagnus''',<ref name=GRIN /> '''spreading oleaster''',<ref name=GRIN /> '''autumnberry''', or '''autumn berry'''. The species is indigenous to eastern [[Asia]] and ranges from the [[Himalaya]]s eastwards to [[Japan]]. It is a hardy, aggressive [[invasive species]] able to readily [[colony (biology)|colonize]] [[barren vegetation|barren land]], becoming invasive in the central and northeastern United States and parts of Europe.<ref name="cabi">{{cite web |title=''Elaeagnus umbellata'' (autumn olive) |url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/20728 |publisher=CABI |access-date=17 August 2019 |date=6 November 2018}}</ref>

==Description==
''Elaeagnus umbellata'' grows as a [[deciduous]] [[shrub]] or small [[tree]], typically up to {{convert|3.5|m|ft}} tall, with a dense crown.<ref name=cabi/><ref name="parmar">Parmar, C. and M.K. Kaushal. 1982. ''Elaeagnus umbellata''. p. 23–25. In: ''Wild Fruits''. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India. [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/parmar/06.html NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Purdue University]</ref> It commonly bears sharp thorns in the form of spur branches.<ref name=parmar/> Flowers are fragrant, occur in clusters of white to yellow, are 8–9&nbsp;mm in length and 7&nbsp;mm in diameter, and have four lobes.<ref name=cabi/><ref name=parmar/> The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, {{cvt|4–10|cm}} long and {{cvt|2–4|cm}} wide, with wavy margins. The leaves are covered with minute silvery scales when they emerge early in the spring<ref name=parmar/> but turn greener above as the scales wear off during the summer. The underside is more intensely covered in the silvery scales, differing from the related ''[[Elaeagnus angustifolia|E. angustifolia]],'' which remains silvery until it sheds its leaves in the fall.<ref name=cabi/>

=== Flowers ===
The [[flower]]s are borne in the leaf axils in clusters of 1–7. They are pale yellowish-white, fragrant, (often heavily fragrant) and have a four-lobed corolla 1&nbsp;cm long.<ref name=cabi/> They are an important source of nectar for pollinators such as bees.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://bees.msu.edu/autumn-olive/ | title = Not Pretty Flowers, but Bees Love 'Em — Autumn olive | work = Michigan State U niversity }}</ref>

=== Fruit ===
[[File:Japanese silverberries.jpg|thumb|150px|The fruit of a Japanese silverberry plant]]
The [[fruit]] is a small round [[drupe]] {{Convert|0.65 to 0.85|cm|frac=8}} in diameter.<ref>Dirr, M. 1998. ''Manual of woody landscape plants : their identification, ornamental characteristics, culture, propagation and uses''. Stipes, Champaign, Ill.</ref> The unripe fruit is silvery-scaled and yellow. It ripens to red, dotted with silver or brown. The ripe fruits are pulpy, juicy and sweet, 3–9&nbsp;mm in length, 5&nbsp;mm in diameter, and average 137 milligrams in weight, with a thin skin covering the whole fruit.<ref name="cabi" /><ref name="parmar" /> Having a sweet and tart flavor, the berries can be eaten fresh or processed for [[jam]], [[condiment]]s, flavoring, or used as a substitute for [[tomato]].<ref name="usda">{{cite web |url=https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/40095/PDF |title=Autumn Olive: A Potential Alternative Crop |publisher=US Department of Agriculture |author=Ingrid M. Fordham |author2=Richard H. Zimmerman |author3=Beverly M. Clevidence |author4=Brent L. Black |author5=Eugene R. Wiley |date=1998 |access-date=10 February 2018 |archive-date=28 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728202250/https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/40095/PDF }}</ref> When mature, the red berries contain [[carotenoid]]s, including considerable amounts of [[lycopene]].<ref name="usda" />

=== Leaves ===
{{unsourced|section|date=November 2025}}
[[File:Elaeagnus umbellata leaf upper surface detail.jpg|thumb|150px|Dorsal side of leaf]]
[[File:Leaf Elaeagnus umbellata.pdf|thumb|150px|Microscopic image of leaf cross-section]]
The leaves of a typical autumn olive plant are arranged in an alternate pattern along the stem not directly opposite of each other, but staggered.{{cn|date=November 2025}} They are smooth and leathery, with their front side being a dull green color, with the backside silvery white, which makes the pant noticeable in the wind and in direct sunlight. The veins of the leaf have a prominent central vein with branching veins stemming from the center, giving the leaf an oval shape with pointed tips at the ends.

==== Leaf cross-section ====
[[File:Stem cross section.jpg|thumb|150px|Cross-section of the stem, showing the outermost layer of cells]]
The [[Epidermis (botany)|epidermis]] is made of a single layer of cells as the protective layer of the leaf.{{cn|date=November 2025}} The epidermis functions to reduce water loss via transpiration and provide protection from pathogens and damage. It protects photosynthetic tissues. The [[trichome]]s (leaf hairs), hair-like structures made of epidermal cells, are usually located on both upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. They function to reduce water loss by creating a slightly humid layer over the leaf surface. They reflect excess sunlight to protect the leaves.{{cn|date=November 2025}} They also deter herbivores to reduce leaf deterioration. In ''Elaeagnus umbellata'', trichomes help the plant survive in dry, sunny, or exposed habitats, making it an extremely resilient plant and contributing to its invasiveness.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

=== Stem ===
The stem is composed of many shoots extending outwards from the perpendicular stem. The stems of a typical autumn olive plant are woody and slender, slivery and brownish gray. The stems have this color due to scales located on the stem that give rise to the speckled appearance.{{cn|date=November 2025}} The stems are smoother on younger plants and rougher and bushier on older plants. Especially the young stems bear short thorns that extend from the stem.

The outermost single layer of cells that covers the stem has a waxy cuticle with little porosity that serves to protect against water and mineral loss and pathogen invasion. In the autumn olive plant, it helps the plant withstand dry and variable autumn climates. 

The cortex is the region immediately beneath the epidermis and is composed of parenchyma and collenchyma cells, which provide support. The cortex stores nutrients for the plant's growth,  such as [[carbohydrate]]s, for the plant to survive colder seasons.

==Naturalization==

In its origin regions of tropical and temperate Asia, ''E.&nbsp;umbellata'' is not considered to be an [[invasive species]], but in many world regions, it has become invasive across wild and cultivated areas, particularly in the eastern United States.<ref name="cabi" /> In the early 19th century, ''E.&nbsp;umbellata'' was purposely introduced to the U.S. and the United Kingdom for [[shelter belt]]s, erosion control, wasteland reclamation, wildlife habitat, and for gardens as an ornamental.<ref name="cabi" /> By the late 20th century, the shrub became a noxious weed and invasive species in many U.S. states from the east coast to the central prairies, and spread widely across Europe.<ref name="cabi" />Due to its substantial seed production and avid germination potential, ''E.&nbsp;umbellata'' rapidly invades new areas where it can resprout readily after burning or cutting.<ref name=cabi/> Because ''E.&nbsp;umbellata'' stands are [[habitat]]s for wildlife, such as providing [[forage]] and shelter for [[deer]], nesting sites for birds, and berries as food for several species,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/autumn_olive.htm | title = Autumn Olive | work = Illinois wildflowers }}</ref> it has been planted for [[wildlife management]] in parts of the U.S.<ref name=cabi/>

In Europe, ''E. umbellata'' has spread to the UK, Belgium, France, and Italy, but has been cultivated in the [[Netherlands]] and [[Scotland]].<ref name=cabi/> In some parts of North America where it has become [[Naturalisation (biology)|naturalized]], ''E.&nbsp;umbellata'' is considered a [[noxious weed]], particularly in the central and [[northeastern U.S.]]<ref name="cabi" /><ref name="NISI">[https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/autumn-olive Species Profile – Autumn Olive], National Invasive Species Information Center, [[United States National Agricultural Library|National Agricultural Library]]. Lists general information and resources for ''Elaeagnus umbellata''.</ref> In Canada, it is a "prohibited noxious weed" under the ''Alberta Weed Control Act 2010''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/prm14063/$FILE/prohibited.pdf |title=Prohibited Noxious Weeds |date=2012 |publisher=Alberta Weed Control Act, Government of Alberta |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-date=5 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705212600/http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/prm14063/$FILE/prohibited.pdf }}</ref>

Because it [[nitrogen fixation|fixes atmospheric nitrogen]] in its roots, ''E.&nbsp;umbellata'' may grow vigorously and sometimes [[Competition (biology)|competitively]] in infertile soils.<ref name=cabi/><ref>J.R. Clark, G.E. Hemery, and P.S. Savill. Early growth and form of common walnut (Juglans regia L.) in mixture with tree and shrub nurse species in southern England. Forestry (2008) 81 (5): 631-644 first published online September 5, 2008 doi:10.1093/forestry/cpn036</ref> It can increase available nitrogen in soils and benefit some nearby plants, and when grown in orchards, it can increase yields of adjacent fruit trees up to 10%.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Elaeagnus+umbellata | title = Elaeagnus umbellata  | work = PFAF }}</ref> However, its ability to change soil chemistry can severely alter or destroy native plant communities.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.michiganaudubon.org/invasive-species-focus-autumn-olive/ | title=Invasive Species Focus: Autumn Olive | date=18 August 2020 }}</ref>

==Cultivated varieties==
* Charlies Golden - yellow  fruits variety
* Ruby
* Elsberry
* Brilliant Rose
* Cardinal - american  variety ,selected 1963.<ref>https://conservancy.umn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/85274c22-c918-4391-91e8-e8169dfebb32/content</ref> 
* Jewel
* Delightful
* Sweet and Tart
* Redwing<ref>Reich. L., Uncommon Fruits for Every Garden, Portland 2004., p. 117.</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20190728202250/https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/40095/PDF</ref>
* Amber – yellow fruits, old Japanese variety<ref>Pirc, H. enzyklopaedie der wildobst und seltenen obstarten, 2020., Graz</ref>
* Turdus – german variety,on market since 1992.<ref name="Bundessortenamt">Bundessortenamt: Beschreibende Sortenliste 1999, ISSN 1430-9378, str. 54–58.</ref>
* Serinus – german variety ,on market since 1992.<ref name="Bundessortenamt" />
* Marzahne – german variety
* Sweet Milan - polish variety
* Red Milan - polish variety
* Powsin - polish variety
* K2 - polish variety<ref>https://cornusmas.eu/catalogue/autumn-olive</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Autumnolive2.JPG|Leaves
File:Honey bee foraging on Autumn Olive.jpg|Blossoms
File:Elaeagnus umbellata Frucht.jpg|Ripe fruit
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons and category inline|Elaeagnus umbellata}}
*[http://bioimages.vanderbilt.edu/metadata.htm?/27776/metadata/sp ''Elaeagnus umbellata'' images]; Bioimages from [[Vanderbilt University]], Nashville, TN, USA
* [https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/plants/autumn-olive Species Profile - Autumn Olive (''Elaeagnus umbellata'')], National Invasive Species Information Center, [[United States National Agricultural Library]].

{{Taxonbar|from=Q367242}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Elaeagnus|umbellata]]