Autumn Olive

Autumn Olive, Japanese Silverberry

Eleagnus umbellata Thunb.

▲ mature plant, about 15 feet tall in Illinois

▲ ▼ young mature plant

▲ ▼ branches and foliage with silvery leaf undersides

▲ twigs with prominent lenticels

▲ leaves and fruit

▲ leaf top and bottom

▲ fruit

▲ roadside planting of autumn olive in Illinois

Autumn Olive:

Woody perennial large shrub or small tree in the Autumn Olive Family (Eleagnaceae), native to Asia, with deciduous, shiny, oval leaves with silvery leaf undersides
Twigs silvery-white pubescent, slender; fruit is a red drupe-like fruit
Planted as a fencerow plant for wind erosion control and for wildlife food and cover, but has become invasive, endangering native habitats
Found on roadsides, in pastures, open woods, prairies, pastures, non-crop areas
Being considered or named as a noxious weed in several states