MYRTIFLORAE — OLEASTER 



641 



species and 3 genera. The buffalo berry is well known. The Shcpherdia ar- 

 gentea is a thorny shrub from S-18 feet high, from Western Iowa and west- 

 ward, the add fruit of which was much used in early days for jams, jellies 

 and pies. The Russian oleaster or wild olive (Eleagnus angustifolia), a well 

 known ornamental shrub, adapted especially to the North West, is hardy and 

 handsome. It has spiny branches which bear fragrant flowers. The wood is 

 durable and makes an excellent post. The Goumi (£. multiflora) of Japan, pro- 

 duces edible fruit. The E. hortensis formerly included two species, the B. 

 angustifolia and E. orientalis. Prof. Hansen has introduced the edible form 

 of the shrub into the Northwest. The Arabs dry the berries and make a kind 

 of cake. The Hippophae rhamnoides, an ornamental plant from Europe, is 

 known under the name of sea buckthorn. It is commonly used for fish sauce 

 in Russia. The plant is hardy in South Dakota. Prof. Hansen says that the 

 berries of the tree contain a narcotic poison which is eliminated by boiling. 



Fig. 363. Goumi (Elacagnus multiflora). 

 Cultivated for its edible fruit. (From Am- 

 erican Agriculturist.) 



