This small bushy tree has attracted interest as a 'nurse' for valuable hardwoods in Britain and has long been grown in north-west European gardens. Introduced 1830. In North America it is considered invasive. Also known as Autumn Olive or Japanese Silverberry.

Native from Afghanistan eastwards across temperate eastern Asia, including China, Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Japan and Korea.

Monoecious. Insect-pollinated. Seeds dispersed by birds.

Small (6m), spreading often as wide as high, short-trunked and leaning. Twigs brown-scaled; buds alternate, often with thorn-like spurs, sometimes keeping a few leaves over winter. Leaves narrow-oval, 5-10cm, bright green above, pale shiny silver below, on an 8mm petiole. Flowers bell-shaped in clusters of 1-3 (12mm), fragrant, the petal-like sepals white inside and silvery outside (May-June). Fruit a small globose drupe (6-8mm), red with attractive silver marbling (September-October). Oleaster differs: taller, less thorny, narrower leaves, yellow flowers, silver-brown fruit.

Easy to grow and, in the present climate in Britain and Ireland, not considered an invasive risk, though spreading in warmer Europe. It readily regrows when cut. With its nitrogen-fixing ability and modest height, forestry experiments show it is highly effective at promoting the growth and survival of valuable species, including Wild Cherry, Common Walnut and especially Hybrid Walnut.

No notable associations where introduced. Bees and other pollinating insects attracted to flowers.

Generally healthy.

Ornamental, offering attractive silver foliage and bright fruit. There is agroforestry interest for both soil improvement and fruit production (around 30kg per tree per year), the sweet, lycopene-rich fruit (as in tomatoes) being processed into jams and tarts. It is excellent as a 'nurse' species in novel hardwood silviculture.