Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Family: Elaeagnaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Autumn olive is a nitrogen-fixing deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 4.5m (14ft) at a medium growth rate. The flowers are fragrant, blooming in the spring, with a lovely warm spice smell. Autumn olive can grow in nutritionally poor soil and can tolerate drought and maritime exposure.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

pleasantly acid, they are tasty raw and can also be made into jams, preserves etc. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; Juicy and pleasantly acid, they are tasty raw and can also be made into jams, preserves etc.; The fruit must be fully ripe before it can be enjoyed raw, if even slightly under-ripe it will be quite astringent.; The fruit contains about 8.3% sugars, 4.5% protein, 1% ash.

Habitat & North American Range

Thickets and thin woods in the lowland and hills. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)