OLEASTER FAMILY 



SILVER BERRY. EL^EAGNUS 



Elczdgnus argentea. 



Elaagnus, sacred olive ; the Greek name of an entirely dif- 

 ferent plant. Oleaster is a Latin word, which is interpreted 

 wild olive tree ; derivation doubtful. 



Silvery -scaly, much-branched, six to twelve feet high. Ranges 

 from Minnesota to South Dakota, Utah, and Montana. Stolonif- 

 erous. 



Stems. Young twigs covered with brown scurf, which finally 

 becomes silvery. 



Leaves. Alternate, simple, one to four inches long, elliptic to 

 lanceolate, wedge-shaped at base, undulate or entire, acute or 

 obtuse at apex, densely silvery on both sides. Petioles short. 



Floiuers. May, July. Perfect, numerous, borne solitary, or 

 in clusters of two or three, in the axils of the leaves; silvery 

 without, pale yellow within, fragrant. 



Calyx, Tube bell-shaped ; border four-lobed, silvery without, 

 pale yellow within ; lobes ovate, valvate. 

 Corolla. Wan ti ng. 



Stamens. Four, borne at the throat of the calyx-tube; fila- 

 ments short. 



Pistil. Ovary one- celled; style linear, long. 



Fruit. Drupe-like, ovoid, silvery, dry and mealy, edible. 



The Silver Berry is one of the best of the wood} 7 

 plants with light colored foliage. Its range is north- 

 ern, consequently it is rather difficult to cultivate, 



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