Plant Details

Elaeagnus umbellata - Thunb.

Autumn Olive

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Elaeagnus umbellata - Thunb..

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Common names

3 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Autumn Olive
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Goudbes
French
  • Olivier de Bohême
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Elaeagnus umbellata - Thunb.
Accepted name (Kew): Elaeagnus umbellata View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Elaeagnaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Elaeagnus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Autumn Olive

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Large
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Deciduous

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3-9
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Seed
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(4)
Functions:
Hedge, Biomass production, Companion plant

Description

Edible applications: The fruits can be eaten raw or cooked. They are juicy and pleasantly sour in taste, enjoyable to eat as is, and also suitable for jams and preserves. The fruits must be fully ripe before they can be consumed raw; if they are even slightly unripe, they will be quite astringent. The fruits contain about 8.3% sugars, 4.5% proteins, 1% ash, and approximately 12 mg of vitamin C per 100 g. In the wild, mature shrubs produce about 650 g of fruit in 2 - 3 harvests. The harvested fruit remains good at room temperature for about 15 days. The fruits are about 8 mm in diameter and contain a single large pit. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be consumed along with the fruit, although the seed coat is quite fibrous.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 15/11

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb., name ID 2785255, row 1380611
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1379863; name ID 2784975; Elaeagnus Tourn. ex L.. Family column.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.