Autumn Olive

There is an invasive shrub gaining ground in the US.  Its the Autumn Olive!!!!  Apparently, in England this plant barely every fruits and is used extensively in landscaping.  However, it really likes the climate in America and produces lots of fruit.  This fruit is actually edible and supposed to be tasty for humans.  Alas, they are also delicious to birds who are spreading them everywhere!

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellate)

This main identification feature is the silvery scales.  You can rub them off with your fingernail, its some type of waxy coating.  Its on the top of the leaves and the berries, but the key is the blinding coating of silvery scales on the underside of the leaf.  Its one of the whitest leaves I have ever seen in nature.  Oh, and watch out for the thorns!