INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES FACT SHEET Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata Description: Problem: Origin: Autumn olive is a medium Autumn olive exhibits Autumn olive is native to to large deciduous shrub. prolific fruiting, rapid China, Korea and Japan. Its leaves are alternate, growth, is widely It was first introduced to oval to lanceolate, dispersed by birds and United States from Japan untoothed and grow to can thrive in poor soil. It in 1830. In Indiana, as 1-3 inches in length. has the ability to produce in the rest of the country, The upper surface of the up to 80 pounds of fruit autumn olive was often leaves is dark green to in a single season. Due used for the revegetation grayish-green in color, to its nitrogen fixing of disturbed habitats. while the lower surface capabilities, it has the It has also been sold is covered with silvery capacity to adversely commercially for white scales. The small, affect the nitrogen cycle roadsides, landscaping light yellow flowers of the native communities and gardens. are borne along twigs that may depend on after the leaves have infertile soils. It is appeared early in the vigorous and competitive growing season. The against native species in fruits are small, round, open communities like juicy, reddish to pink, prairies and savannas and dotted with scales and resprouts after cutting or are produced in great burning. It also creates quantity. heavy shade which suppresses plants that Picture By: J. Allison @ require direct sunlight. www.invasive.org. Pictures By: G. Fewless Distribution: IPSAWG Ranking: Invasive Plants Autumn olive is found in are a Threat to: disturbed areas, along MEDIUM HIGH HIGH roadsides, in pastures, • Forests and fields and sparse woodlands. It is often Ecological Potential for Difficulty of wetlands Impact Expansion Control found in poor soils due to its nitrogen-fixing root • Native plants nodules that allow it to IPSAWG Recommendation: tolerate poor conditions. •Do not buy, sell or plant autumn olive in Indiana. • Perennial gardens It can also survive the •Help by eradicating autumn olive on your property. effects of salt, drought •Also avoid Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.); • Wildlife and pHs as low as 4.0. this species is considered invasive in many parts of the However, it does not grow Midwest though not yet in Indiana. • well in wet habitats or in Lakes and rivers This ranking illustrates the results of an assessment conducted dense forests. Autumn by the Invasive Plant Species Assessment Working Group • Human Health olive is now found over (IPSAWG), which is made up of many organizations and agencies the eastern half of the concerned about invasive plant species. IPSAWG’s goal is to assess United States and in all which plant species may threaten natural areas in Indiana and • Farmland develop recommendations to reduce their use in the state. counties of Indiana. For more information about IPSAWG and the assessment tool used to rank invasive species, visit their website: Date Updated: 10/06 www.invasivespecies.IN.gov Control Methods: ALTERNATIVES to Autumn olive: Hand pulling autumn olive following cutting during bark on the lower portion seedlings can be effective. the growing season. of the woody plant is However, mowing or Glyphosate (20%) can also an effective control. cutting autumn olive also be effective when Multiple treatments plants can cause vigorous applied directly to cut may be required. resprouting. Even stumps. Applying 2% Always read and repeated cutting is usually triclopyr mixed with a follow pesticide label ineffective without treating basal oil directly to the directions. Dogwoods stumps and/or resprouts (Cornus sericea, with herbicide. Several C. amomum, and herbicides have been used C. racemosa) alone or in combination to control autumn olive, including glyphosate and triclopyr. Foliar applications of triclopyr (1- 2%) or glyphosate (1-2%) are effective on resprouts Chokeberry An autumn olive plant. (Picture By: J. (Aronia melanocarpa) Miller @ www.invasive.org) Eight Easy Ways to Combat Invasive Plants You can help stop the spread of invasive plants by following these 8 easy guidelines: 1. Ask for only non- for invasive species, and and natural areas to assist invasive species when you remove invasives before ongoing efforts to diminish Winterberry acquire plants. Request that they become a problem. If the threat of invasive (Ilex verticillata) nurseries and garden plants can’t be removed, plants. centers sell only non- at least prevent them from 7. Help educate your invasive plants. going to seed. community through 2. Seek information on 4. Clean your boots before personal contacts and in invasive plants. Sources and after visiting a natural such settings as garden include botanical gardens, area to prevent the spread clubs and civic groups. horticulturists, of invasive plant seeds. 8. Support public policies conservationists, and 5. Don’t release aquarium and programs to control government agencies. plants into the wild. invasive plants. 6. Volunteer at local parks Northern arrowwood 3. Scout your property (Viburnum dentatum) For More Information: Pictures By (Top to Bottom): D. E. On this assessment and IPSAWG: Herman, U Conn, Indy Parks and D. IPSAWG E. Herman. www.invasivespecies.IN.gov On identification and control techniques: Other Alternatives: The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Weeds Blackhaw www.tncweeds.ucdavis.edu (Viburnum prunifolium) On native plant alternatives and sources: Serviceberry Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (Amelanchier arborea) www.inpaws.org This grant project made possible with United States Forest Service funds administered by the IDNR, Division of Forestry..