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Autumn Olive Information
Date: Sun Jan 30, 2000 5:21pm
Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
One of the most interesting shrubs with edible berries that grows here in SE Tennessee (as well as most of the Eastern side of the US states) has got to be Autumn Olive.
Autumn Olive was introduced to the US from southern Europe and western and southern Asia as an attractant to wildlife. Birds, deer and many animals eat the fruit which is a small red berry when ripe. The fruit is quite abundant on the little trees but picking them one must take care as there are thorns on the limbs. Although not as rough as a honey locust, the thorns on the Autumn Olive can leave you with a very sore spot if you prick yourself.
Autum Olive is considered an invasive specie in a lot of US states and maybe in some states tops the list of nuisance invasives. I have to chuckle at this as I am prone to a warped sense of humor when it comes to edible invasive specie plants. If the USDA or local farm services or agriculture extension services in the area would make certain literature available to the public to promote the edible qualities of certain plants, I do believe the problems associated with nuisance invasive species would be less of a problem. If you can't eradicate an invasive specie, eat it and tell all your friends about it.
I picked over two gallons of the small red berries yesterday and today I will turn them into a very tasty jam. You can use any wild plum jam recipe and just substitute Autumn Olives instead of plums.
Bonnie in TN