268 Ornamental Shrubs. 



white beneath. The flowers are rather inconspicuous, 

 but the fruit is showy and ornamental. It is borne on 

 long stalks, and is bright red covered with small white 

 dots. It hangs long on the stem, and affords a beautiful 

 contrast to the coloring of the foliage. This elaeagnus 

 may well be grown for the fruit alone, as it is juicy and 

 edible, having a sharp, pungent, and agreeable flavor. 

 Though all persons do not enjoy the taste, some esteem 

 it preferable to that of the currant or gooseberry. In 

 France it is used for preserving, and is highly appreciated. 

 The plant is sure to prove a valuable acquisition and to 

 come into more general use. So far as tested the shrub 

 is found perfectly hardy as far north as New England, 

 and even Canada. 



E. canadensis is a native of America, and in some 

 sections is popularly known as the Missouri silver-tree. 

 It grows to the height of eight or ten feet, often throwing 

 out an abundance of suckers. The leaves are oblong, 

 sharp-pointed, and silvery-white both above and beneath, 

 contrasting strongly with the yellow flowers which appear 

 in July and August. These are followed by roundish, 

 ovate fruit, ribbed and covered with white scales. The 

 flowers are fragrant, and the fruit, though dry and mealy, 

 is esteemed by many. 



E. angustifolia is a native of southeastern Europe and 

 western Asia, and is the veritable wild olive of the classic 

 authors. It is often in modern times called the Jerusalem 

 willow, though it is not a willow at all. The flowers 

 are yellow, appear in midsummer, and the oblong, light- 

 colored fruit is common in the markets of the East. 



