Elaeagnus angustifolia, L.

1. E. angustifolia L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 121 (1753) View Cited Treatment .

More or less spiny shrub or small tree up to 7 m. Twigs covered with silvery scales. Leaves 4-8 x 1-2-5 cm, oblong- or linear-lanceolate, green above, covered with silvery scales beneath. Flowers 8-10 mm, appearing with the leaves. Fruit 10-20 mm, ellipsoid, succulent, yellow, covered with silvery scales. Planted for ornament and widely naturalized in S. Europe, northwards to Czechoslovakia and C. Russia. [Al Au Bu Cr Cz Ga Gr Hs Hu It Rm Rs (B, C, W, K, E).] (Temperate Asia.)

E. commutata Bernh. , ex. Rydb., FZ. Rocky Mount. 582 (1918) ( E. argentea Pursh , non Moench) from North America, is often confused with 1, but differs from it in having brown twigs and dry, mealy fruits. It is cultivated and perhaps locally naturalized.