Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Eudicots: Core Eudicots: Rosids: Fabids: Rosales
WEAKLEY'S FLORA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN US (4/14/23):
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 Flora of North America north of Mexico, vol. 10 (2021)
Elaeagnus pungens
SYNONYMOUS WITH Floristic Synthesis of North America. BONAP (Kartesz, 2021)
Elaeagnus pungens
SYNONYMOUS WITH Floristic Synthesis of North America (Kartesz, 1999)
Elaeagnus pungens
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
)
JK Marlow jkm190102_6261
January Greenville County SC
)
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).
)
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).
)
JK Marlow jkm170307_133
March Greenville County SC
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JK Marlow jkm200319_3255
March Greenville County SC
)
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.
)
Paul Thompson pstelaeagnus_pungens
September?
Leaf undersides are silver with brown scales scattered on blade and midrib. — Clemson Extension
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JK Marlow jkm211016_4332
October Greenville 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).
)
JK Marlow jkm211016_4338
October Greenville County SC
)
)
Keith Bradley kab_e_pungens_3106
October Richland County SC
Guignard Park
)
Roxanna Martin rlm102510_49
October Spartanburg County SC
)
JK Marlow jkm181102_5486
November Greenville County SC
)
JK Marlow jkm181102_5487
November Greenville County SC
)
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).
)
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 (4/14/23):
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
SYNONYMOUS WITH
Flora of North America north of Mexico, vol. 10
Elaeagnus pungens
SYNONYMOUS WITH
Floristic Synthesis of North America. BONAP (Kartesz, 2021)
Elaeagnus pungens
SYNONYMOUS WITH
Floristic Synthesis of North America (Kartesz, 1999)
Elaeagnus pungens
SYNONYMOUS WITH
VASCULAR FLORA OF THE CAROLINAS (Radford, Ahles, & Bell, 1968) 134-01-001:
Elaeagnus pungens
FAMILY
Elaeagnaceae
505
Vine-like 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.
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
Radially symmetrical
4-merous
4-lobed salverform calyx
Petals absent
4 inserted stamens
Superior ovary (hypanthium fleshy & persistent, thus ovary appearing inferior)
Bisexual
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
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