Autumn olive
Elaeagnus umbellata

Family: Elaeagnaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3-9 m high and 9 m wide. The new shoots are golden brown and thorny. The leaves are soft green and have wavy edges. They are silvery underneath. The flowers are yellow-white and fragrant. The fruit are small orange to red berries. One shrub can produce 54,000 seeds in a year.

There are 45 Elaeagnus species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It can grow on dry and exposed hillsides. In the Himalayas it grows up to 3,500 m above sea level. It can grow in acid or alkaline soils with pH of 4-8. It is non-leguminous but nitrogen-fixing. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. Arboretum Tasmania. In Sichuan. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Central Asia, China, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Pacific, Pakistan, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Tibet, USA

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. They are used like red currants. They can also be used for jams, sauces, preserves and pies. They can be dried like raisins. The fruit are pickled and used in curries.

The fruit are especially eaten by children. They are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can re-sprout after burned or slashed.

In China plants flower in April to May and fruit July to August.

Its other names

Local names

Aki-gumi, Bammerwa, Bi jiu, Borisunamu, Da-mrep, Dar-ma, Di-lis-mung, Geowain, Ghain, Ghaiyin, Ghanamranga, Gohi, Heiyai, Jianzi, Jiu gong, Kenkoli, Kunkholi, Niunaizi, Sanzala, Si wo, Yangnaiguo, Yangnaizi

Synonyms

Elaeagnus crispa Thunb.; Elaeagnus padifolia K. Koch; and others