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Species
Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. subsp. simonii (Carri re) Servett.
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
More info for the term: shrubs
Although thorny-olive seedlings have been observed, information regarding the best conditions for successful seedling establishment were not reported in the reviewed literature (February 2011). In Atlanta, Georgia, and Clemson, South Carolina, thorny-olive seedlings were observed beneath older conspecifics [13], suggesting that thorny-olive is likely to persist where established.
Plant growth: Thorny-olive grows "very rapidly". Shoots may grow 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) in a single growing season [5]. In a nursery study, stem diameter of thorny-olive increased 5% within 2 growing seasons after planting. Shrubs defoliated in the spring had stem diameter increases of 183% after 2 growing seasons [32].
More info for the term: frequency
Thorny-olive has been used as an herbal treatment for asthma and chronic bronchitis in traditional Chinese medicine. In a laboratory study, treatments from extracts or fractions from thorny-olive leaves significantly prolonged the time to respiratory distress (P<0.05), lengthened the period between coughing spells (P<0.05), and decreased coughing frequency (P<0.01) in guinea pigs sensitive to artificially created asthmatic conditions [19].
More info for the terms: natural, shrubs
Many bird species feed on thorny-olive fruits, and because shrubs often occur as single or scattered individuals in natural areas, it is believed that seeds are dispersed in bird droppings [37,40]. In Atlanta, Georgia, cardinals, juncos, cedar waxwings, brown thrashers, and other small birds were observed eating thorny-olive fruits. Bird droppings beneath trees near thorny-olive shrubs contained numerous thorny-olive seeds [13]. Two studies indicate that cedar waxwings are especially attracted to thorny-olive fruits and are susceptible to automobile-induced mortality where thorny-olive has been planted along highways [16,57]. These studies are described in detail in Importance to Wildlife.
More info for the term: shrubs
Thorny-olive fruits are a food source for many bird species. After cardinals, juncos, cedar waxwings, brown thrashers, and other small birds were observed feeding on thorny-olive fruits in Atlanta, Georgia, thorny-olive was suggested for use in southern farmland hedges and borders [13]. Two studies indicate that cedar waxwings are especially attracted to thorny-olive fruits and are susceptible to automobile-induced mortality near thorny-olive roadside plantings. The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Department discovered 145 dead cedar waxwings in a high-traffic area near Richmond where thorny-olive occurred. In a follow-up study, researchers found that European starlings, cedar waxwings, robins, and common grackles commonly fed in thorny-olive highway plantings. Almost 95% of birds were associated with medians that had viable thorny-olive fruits, and those without viable fruit supported very few birds. Bird densities peaked with peak fruit availability [57]. High cedar waxwing mortality was also reported along a highway with thorny-olive plantings in Brazos County, Texas. Between 8 March and 5 April, researchers found 298 dead cedar waxwings. The largest count, 133 dead cedar waxwings, was made on 11 March in an area with 25 individual thorny-olive shrubs planted over a 330-foot (100 m) distance. Researchers also found 2 dead mockingbirds and 1 dead red-winged blackbird [16].
Elaeagnus pungens is a species of flowering plant in the family Elaeagnaceae, known by the common names thorny olive and silverthorn; also by the family name "oleaster". It is native to Asia, including China and Japan. It is present in the southeastern United States as an introduced species, a common landscaping and ornamental plant, and sometimes an invasive species.[1]
Description[edit source | edit]
E. pungens is a dense, branching shrub which can reach over 7 metres (23 ft) tall by 4 metres (13 ft) wide. It sprouts prolifically from its stem, spreading out and twining into adjacent vegetation. Parts of the stem are covered in thorns which can be up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in) long. The evergreen, alternately-arranged leaves are up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in) long but under 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide. The undersides are silvery white with brown flecks. Tubular flowers are borne in clusters of up to three.[1] The flowers are yellowish or white and are sweet-scented.[2] The fruit is a drupe up to 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) long which contains one seed.[1] It is reddish with silver scales.[2] Blooming occurs in the fall and fruit develops during the spring. The plant grows quickly, with shoots growing over one meter per season. The growth has been described as "aggressive", with shoots extending many meters into neighboring treetops. The seeds are dispersed by birds.[1]
Habitat[edit source | edit]
In China this plant occurs on hillsides and in thickets. In Japan it grows in scrub dominated by Quercus phillyraeoides and Pittosporum tobira. This plant was introduced to the United States from Asia in 1830. It has been used extensively as a landscaping plant. Its densely packed, spreading form has proved useful along roadsides and highway medians. It was also used to revegetate abandoned mining sites in Kentucky and other areas. It took hold easily and still persists in these places. It also spread into the wild, having escaped cultivation. In North Carolina it has been reported from longleaf pine forests, urban and maritime forests, and oak-hickory woodlands. In Alabama it grows in urban areas and in protected, natural habitats as a weed.
Cultivation[edit source | edit]
Despite its invasive potential, E. pungens is widely cultivated as a garden plant in temperate regions. It tolerates varied environmental conditions, including heat, cold, wind, coastal conditions, shade, and full sun. It is very drought-tolerant. It can grow in varied soil types, including those found at mine spoils.[1] Numerous cultivars have been developed, especially for variegated foliage effects. Commercially available cultivars include 'Maculata', which has gold coloration on the leaves,[3] as well as 'Fruitlandii', 'Hosoba-Fukurin'[4] and 'Goldrim'.[5]
Ecology[edit source | edit]
Many birds feed on the fruits of the shrub. Birds are most attracted to the plants that produce the most fruit.[1] Studies have found that cedar waxwings attracted to roadside plantings of the shrub are susceptible to automobile-related mortality. In Brazos County, Texas between 8 March and 5 April 1981, researchers counted 298 cedar waxwings that had been killed while trying to get fruits from thorny-olive shrubs growing along one highway.[1]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Elaeagnus pungens |
References[edit source | edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g Gucker, Corey L. (2011). Elaeagnus pungens. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ a b Elaeagnus pungens. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida IFAS. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ E. pungens 'Maculata'. BBC Plant Finder. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ E. pungens. NC State University. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ^ "Elaeagnus pungens 'Goldrim'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elaeagnus_pungens&oldid=565747256 |
United States
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | NatureServe |
Source | http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Elaeagnus+pungens |
More info for the terms: breeding system, shrub, top-kill
thorny-olive
thorny olive
silverthorn
thorny elaeagnus