Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Eudicots: Core Eudicots: Rosids: Fabids: Rosales
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
Go to FSUS key
Dig deeper at SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria.
Check out EDDMapS.org to see where this has been reported.
Read more about Thorny Olive at Vascular Plants of North Carolina.
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH VASCULAR FLORA OF THE CAROLINAS (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968) 134-01-001:
Elaeagnus pungens FAMILY Elaeagnaceae
COMMON NAME:
Thorny Olive, Autumn Siverberry, Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus
To see larger pictures, click or hover over the thumbnails.
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JK Marlow jkm190102_6259
January Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow jkm190102_6261
January Greenville County SC
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Keith Bradley kab_e_pungens_0537
February Lexington County SC
Three Rivers Greenway
Fruit terminated with conspicuous, persistent, prolonged calyx tube, per Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968).
COMPARE
fruit of Elaeagnus species
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JK Marlow jkm160307_082
March Greenville County SC
Furman University
A sprawling, sometimes vinelike shrub [here climbing over 30' in height], per Woody Plants of the Southeastern US: A Winter Guide (Lance, 2004).
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JK Marlow jkm160307_084
March Greenville County SC
Furman University
Elongate, arching branches covered with brownish, peltate scales, per Woody Plants of the Southeastern US: A Winter Guide (Lance, 2004).
)
JK Marlow jkm160307_085
March Greenville County SC
Furman University
Leaves evergreen, glossy above, per Woody Plants of the Southeastern US: A Winter Guide (Lance, 2004).
)
JK Marlow jkm160307_086
March Greenville County SC
Furman University
Lower surface: peltate silver scales interspersed with russet scales, per Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968).
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JK Marlow jkm170307_133
March Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow jkm200319_3255
March Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow jkm120428_866
April Oconee County SC
Clemson Forest
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Roxanna Martin rlm4111_170
April Spartanburg County SC
Fruit ellipsoid, 10-15mm, covered with lobed, chartaceous, peltate scales, per Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968).
)
JK Marlow jkm140625_342
June Greenville County SC
Cleveland Park
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JK Marlow jkm180905_4568
September Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow jkm180920_4843
September Greenville County SC
This leaf is occupied by a Harvestman, also known as Daddy-longlegs.
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Roxanna Martin rlm92509_001
September Spartanburg County SC
Flowering in the fall, per Weakley's Flora.
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Paul Thompson pstelaeagnus_pungens
September?
Leaf undersides are silver with brown scales scattered on blade and midrib. — Clemson Extension
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Keith Bradley kab_e_pungens_3106
October Richland County SC
Guignard Park
)
Roxanna Martin rlm101610_293
October Spartanburg County SC
)
Roxanna Martin rlm102510_33
October Spartanburg County SC
Flowers tubular, 4-lobed, silvery-white to brown, in axillary clusters, per A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests (Miller, Chambliss, & Lowenstein, 2010).
)
Roxanna Martin rlm102510_49
October Spartanburg County SC
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JK Marlow jkm181102_5486
November Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow jkm181102_5487
November Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow s071108_c
November Pickens County SC
SC Botanical Garden
Leaves dark or brownish green above, silver w scattered brown scales below, per A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests (Miller, Chambliss, & Lowenstein, 2010).
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JK Marlow s071108_d
November Pickens County SC
SC Botanical Garden
Leaf margins undulate, per Vascular Flora of the Carolinas (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968).
)
JK Marlow jkm151230_075
December Greenville County SC
Swamp Rabbit Trail
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/24/22):
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
VASCULAR FLORA OF THE CAROLINAS (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968) 134-01-001:
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
505
Shrub
Perennial
Habitat: forests and woodlands in suburban areas, spread by birds, per Weakley's Flora
Non-native: Japan
Uncommon (rare in NC Mountains)
Click here to see a map, notes, and images from Weakley's Flora of the Southeastern US.
Click here to see a map showing all occurrences known to SERNEC, a consortium of southeastern herbaria. (Zoom in to see more detail.)
This plant is causing problems in natural areas outside its native range, according to authorities such as:
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council, 2012
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2006
- NC Botanical Garden
- NC Department of Transportation
- SC Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2014
- SC Native Plant Society
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2009
- US Forest Service Southern Research Station
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2014
IS THE PLANT "ARMED"?
Armed with spinose spur shoots
LEAVES:
Evergreen
Simple
Alternate
FLOWER:
Fall
Silvery-white/Brown
Bisexual
Radially symmetrical
4-merous
4-lobed salverform calyx
Petals absent
4 inserted stamens
Superior ovary (hypanthium fleshy & persistent, thus ovary appearing inferior)
FRUIT:
Spring
Brown/Red
Drupe-like
TO LEARN MORE about this plant, look it up in a good book!
- Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses (Miller & Miller, 2005) p336
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests (Miller, Chambliss, & Lowenstein, 2010) p054
- Invasive Exotic Plants of North Carolina (Smith, 2008) p064
- Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southeast (Foote & Jones, 1989) p099
- Woody Plants of the Southeastern US: A Winter Guide (Lance, 2004) p132