Synonyms: Elaeagnus angustifolia L. var. orientalis
Common Names: Oleaster
Description: Forms a dense, monospecific shrub layer displacing native species and closing open areas; alters nutrient cycling and hydrology.
Habit: Deciduous thorny shrub or small tree growing up to 9 m (30 feet) in height; rounded in shape with a loose arrangement of branches.
Leaves: Simple, alternate, oblong, 4-8 cm (1.5-3 in) long, untoothed margins; light green and covered with silvery star-shaped hairs above, silvery white and densely covered with scales below.
Stems: Slightly thorny on ends; silvery scales present when young; bark is thin and comes off in elongated strips.
Flowers: Small, highly aromatic, yellowish in color, silver inside, umbel-shaped, single or clustered, blooms shortly after leaf emergence; blooms June through July.
Fruit and seeds: Hard, yellow-red, olive-shaped fruits, 1 cm (0.4 in) long with silvery scales, clustered along stems in great quantities, eaten and dispersed by many bird species; begin fruiting at 3 to 5 years.
Habitat: Relatively shade tolerant; invades open and disturbed areas; can occur in a variety of soil and moisture conditions; not tolerant of acidic conditions (pH<6.0).
Reproduction: Primarily by seed, also vegetatively or by root sucker at the root crown.
Similar species: Non-native autumn olive (
Elaeagnus umbellata) has shorter, broader, slightly less silvery leaves; closely related native rabbit-berry and buffalo-berry (
Shepherdia spp.) have opposite leaves, usually smaller; sage willow (
Salix candida) has serrate leaves.
Monitoring and rapid response: Monitor edge habitats, particularly along streams and rivers; early detection is critical as large stands are almost impossible to eradicate. Hand pull seedlings; small seedlings susceptible to fire. Burning, mowing, cutting and girdling all stimulate resprouting in larger plants without herbicide treatment; treat cut stumps with an herbicide; basal bark treatment effective on young trees; foliar herbicide treatment effective for small trees, resprouts.
Credits: The
Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) has partnered with MISIN to provide the information in this fact sheet. Species images and/or information were used with permission from "
A Field Identification Guide to Invasive Plants in Michigan's Natural Communities" and "
A Field Guide to Invasive Plants of Aquatic and Wetland Habitats for Michigan.