Autumn Olive: Difference between revisions
Watlington (talk | contribs) (Created page with "thumb|Autumn Olive left|thumb|200x200px|Autumn Olive Berries thumb|267x267px|Autumn Olive '''Elaeagnus umbellata''' ([https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/elaeagnus/umbellata/ GoBotany], Wikipedia, [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ELUM USDA]) is an invasive shrub (usually four...") |
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Revision as of 02:35, 16 January 2024
Elaeagnus umbellata (GoBotany, Wikipedia, USDA) is an invasive shrub (usually four to eight feet high, although it can grow into a small 16ft. tall tree) found in Acton. It has a distinctive leaf (dark on top with a light, fuzzy underside), and has large amounts of small red berries (flecked with silver or gold) which ripen in the fall. These are a favorite with birds (and hikers), and result in its spread. The berries are edible, and have large amounts of lycopene in them. They are tart like a tomato, but ten times stronger.
Removal
Autumn Olive is fairly easy to remove.
Cutting the plant (the wood is very soft) will result in regrowth, but after a couple of cuttings it will die.
The plant is also very easy to uproot completely.
Common Mis-Identifications
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina, Wikipedia, USDA - Factsheet) has a similar leaf. The Autumn Olive bark is much smoother, and the Cherry leaves aren't light and fuzzy underneath.
Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia, Wikipedia, USDA) is another invasive plant with similar leaves. It can grow much larger, and has spines.