Many taxa in this genus are separated only by quantitative characters, and better information on population variation is likely to lead to a significant reduction in the number of species recognized. Indeed, recent studies (Du, Fl. Yunnan. 12: 749-776. 2006) suggest that some species of Elaeagnus should be combined[].

Common Name: Autumn Olive

General Information

Elaeagnus umbellata is an erect, often thorny, deciduous shrub with widely spreading branches; it can grow up to 450cm tall and is often somewhat wider[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes cultivated on a garden scale as a fruit crop, and is also grown in soil stabilization projects and to provide nitrogen in walnut orchards. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used to form a shelter hedge[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Habitat

Thickets and thin woods in the lowland and hills[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Elaeagnus umbellata is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -40°c when dormant[].
Succeeds in most soils that are well-drained[, ], though it dislikes shallow chalk soils[]. It prefers a soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in very poor soils and in dry soils[, ]. Prefers a light sandy loam and a sunny position[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[].
This species is somewhat similar to Elaeagnus multiflora, but it flowers a few weeks later[].
A polymorphic species[, ].
Sometimes cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties[]. 'Cardinal' and 'Red Wing' are very good fruiting forms (developed for ornament and not for fruit quality)[]. 'Jazbo' has been bred for its edible fruits which are said to be ripe when 'they drop into your hand'[]. This makes them valuable in breeding programmes to develop easily harvested fruits[].
Flowers are rich in nectar and very aromatic, they are much visited by bees.
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[, ].
Plants can fruit in 6 years from seed[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[, ]. An excellent companion plant, when grown in orchards it can increase yields from the fruit trees by up to 10%.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Juicy and pleasantly acid, they are tasty raw and can also be made into jams, preserves etc[, , ]. The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw, if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent[]. The fruit contains about 8.3% sugars, 4.5% protein, 1% ash[]. The vitamin C content is about 12mg per 100g[]. Mature bushes in the wild yield about 650g of fruit over 2 - 3 pickings[]. The harvested fruit stores for about 15 days at room temperature[]. The red, almost globose fruit is about 6 - 9mm in diameter[] and contains a single large seed[].

Seed - raw or cooked[]. It can be eaten with the fruit though the seed case is rather fibrous[].

Medicinal

The flowers are astringent, cardiac and stimulant[]. They are used in the treatment of coughs and pulmonary infections[].

The seeds are used as a stimulant in the treatment of coughs[, ]. The expressed oil from the seeds is used in the treatment of pulmonary affections[].

The unripe fruit is astringent and is eaten in the treatment of bloody dysentery[].
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good informal hedge, succeeding even in very exposed positions[]. The plants make a reasonable wind-protecting screen, they are about as wide as they are tall. They make a good companion hedge, enriching the soil and fertilizing neighbouring plants[].
The plant is grown in walnut orchards, where its nitrogen-fixing properties help to enrich the soil[].
The plant's extensive root system and ability to tolerate poor soils and strong winds, makes it an excellent plant for stabilizing sandy soils and general erosion control[].

Other Uses

The wood is a good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. It should germinate in late winter or early spring, though it may take 18 months[]. Stored seed can be very slow to germinate, often taking more than 18 months. A warm stratification for 4 weeks followed by 12 weeks cold stratification can help[]. The seed usually (eventually) germinates quite well[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pot as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when they are at least 15cm tall.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Good percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 10 - 12cm with a heel, late autumn in a frame. Leave for 12 months. Fair to good percentage[].
Layering in September/early autumn. Takes 12 months[].