Autumn Olive

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• autumn elaeagnus
• autumn olive
• oriental silverleaf
• Spreading Oleaster
• Autumn berry
• autumn-olive
• Japanese silverberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Rosales. Finally, it is classified under the family Elaeagnaceae and the genus Elaeagnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is established in Belgium and Germany. Additionally, its range extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically within France. Together, these locations highlight the wide environmental adaptability of Elaeagnus umbellata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Elaeagnus umbellata is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, demonstrating significant adaptive capacity to varying montane environments. It is typically found inhabiting diverse landscapes within an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 3200 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests the species can tolerate a variety of temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures associated with different mountain zones. Within these elevational limits, the plant often occupies disturbed sites, forest edges, or open slopes, where it plays a functional role in soil stabilization and nutrient cycling, often benefiting from its ability to thrive in diverse topographical niches.

Elevational range max:

3200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Genetics

The genetics of Elaeagnus umbellata are characterized by a stable karyotype that serves as a fundamental aspect of its cytogenetic profile. A key defining feature of its genomic structure is its diploid chromosome number, which is documented as 2n = 28. This specific chromosomal arrangement plays a crucial role in the plant's reproductive biology and its ability to maintain genetic diversity across various environmental niches. The stability of this chromosome number provides a genetic basis for the species' evolutionary adaptation and its characteristic growth patterns.

Chromosome number :

28

Life history

The life history of Elaeagnus umbellata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that supports its growth into a robust shrub or small tree. This phanerophyte life form ensures that its vital meristematic tissues are protected by elevated woody structures, facilitating its persistence and ability to dominate various habitats over an extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Elaeagnus umbellata is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It is a terrestrial, independent plant that does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. Its height typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 4 meters, with a mean plant height of approximately 4.6 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

4.6 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Elaeagnus umbellata is characterized by specific morphological adaptations of its foliage that facilitate efficient gas exchange and light interception. The leaf structure exhibits significant variability in dimensions, which plays a crucial role in the plant's metabolic processes and environmental resilience. Specifically, the leaves possess a length that ranges from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 8 cm, providing a flexible surface area for photosynthesis depending on the developmental stage and canopy position. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 2 cm, defining a slender, lanceolate profile. This specific ratio of length to width, combined with the characteristic silvery scales often found on the epidermis, influences the plant's transpiration rates and its ability to manage thermal regulation within diverse microclimates.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Elaeagnus umbellata is characterized by a bisexual sexual reproductive system. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through October. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Self-fertilization is notably absent, suggesting a reliance on cross-pollination to ensure genetic diversity. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fleshy fruits that vary in length from 0.6 cm to 0.8 cm. These fruits serve as the vessel for a high volume of seeds, with each fruit containing more than 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are quite small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.0152625 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.0118 g to a maximum of 0.01643 g) and a consistent volume of 15 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fleshy fruit and disperse the seeds through their digestive tracts.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.01643 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0152625 g

Seed mass min:

0.0118 g

Seed volume max:

15 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Elaeagnus umbellata has 2 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. BioMed research international
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Cell biochemistry and biophysics
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Chemicals

Elaeagnus umbellata has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Flavonoid, Flavonoids, METHYL PALMITATE, Monoterpenes.

Anthocyanins

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Flavonoid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Flavonoids

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

METHYL PALMITATE

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Monoterpenes

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Phenols

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Phytosterols

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

ZNO

1. BioMed research international

eugenol

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

morin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Elaeagnus umbellata has 8 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antimicrobial

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Hepatoprotective

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Hypolipidemic

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Nephroprotective

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Phytotoxic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Medicinal Uses

Elaeagnus umbellata has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, ulcer, amyloid plaques, antidiabetic, bacterial infections.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations