Elaeagnus umbellata

autumn olive - Originally imported from China, Korea, and Japan, this shrub or small tree, with tubular, fragrant, light yellow flowers that appear after the leaves, and numerous small, round reddish fruits, has been popular in New England since colonial times. It is found along roadways and in pastures, open woodlands, and on woodland edges, where it has escaped from cultivation. Autumn olive, like certain legumes, has the ability to fix nitrogen, allowing it to thrive in poor soils. Growing rapidly and producing many seeds, these plants sprout energetically when cut back or burned, making control especially difficult. Controls include pulling small plants, being careful to remove the entire root system, and painting herbicide on the cut stumps of larger specimens. [image: (c) New England Wild Flower Society/ A. Pratt]

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