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Thorny Olive

Elaeagnus pungens

Found in forests and woodlands in suburban areas, spread by birds; this species is an increasingly aggressive invasive across much of our region. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-55
Severe harm

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
may reach 25 feet tall
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Somewhat dry to moist

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Alabama.

At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Evergreen
Bloom
October to November
Fruiting season
March to April

Not yet recorded · Spread

Recorded in 34 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Forests and woodlands

Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Named place / source context. Shown: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia, a neighboring state.Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain., Unidentified in HFC record, undated. Public domain. Source record.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

10CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Elaeagnus

  • Acharia stimuleaSaddleback Caterpillar Moth
  • Anavitrinella pampinariaCommon Gray, Cranberry Spanworm
  • Archips argyrospilaFruit-Tree Leafroller Moth
  • Automeris ioIo Moth
  • Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Orthosia hibisciSpeckled Green Fruitworm Moth, Speckled Green Quaker
  • Pseudothyatira cymatophoroidesTufted Thyatirid
  • Redectis vitreaWhite-Spotted Redactis
  • Scopula limboundataLarge Lace-Border
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Elaeagnus

  • Alectoris chukarChukar
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Elaeagnaceae
Hardiness
Zones 7a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Gray/silver or white
Fruit begins
March
Fruit ends
April

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Autumn Olive

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Native alternatives

Find natives for your garden

Sources