A New Fruit for Processing: Autumnberry, Aki-gumi, or Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)
Organic Farming Possibilities
- Tolerates poor soils
- Requires little/no fertilizer
- Minimal pest problems
- Precocious fruiting
- Yield: up to 18 pounds/plant (6,500 lbs per acre) on 4-year-old shrubs
Easily harvested
Flavorful fruit can be:
- consumed fresh
- processed into jams, jellies and sauces
- dried into fruit leather
And to Top it off...An Excellent source of the Anti-oxidant Lycopene! Rich source of carotenoids including: Lycopene, Phytoene, a- and ß-cryptoxanthin, and ß-carotene.
USDA Disclaimer on Autumn Olive Autumn olive plants do not spread by root suckering, but can be quite persistent once established, growing back from the roots when cut down or mowed off. Due to this persistent nature, seed dispersal by wildlife, and the ability to thrive in poor soils, feral populations of autumn olive have established throughout the Eastern U.S. As a result, autumn olive is now on the federal invasive species list. However, a number of important crop species and landscape plants are similarly listed. Due to this listing, autumn olive should not be planted for fruit production where it is not already established as this could facilitate the further spread of this species. Further, the plant is listed as a noxious weed in West Virginia and New Hampshire.
Some Sources of Nursery Selections of Autumnberry:
"Commercial Endorsement Disclaimer"
"The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this webpage is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Agriculture or the Agricultural Research Service of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable."
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