132 



TREES OP THE NORTHERN UNITED STATES 



Elaeagnus 16ngipes. (SILVER -LEAVED 

 EL^EAGNUS.) Leaves almost evergreen, 

 rather thick, ovate-oblong, rather blunt, 

 entire, smooth and dark green above, but 

 silvery below. Flowers inconspicuous. 

 Fruit about V z in. long, bright red, with 

 silvery scales, very abundant and beautiful; 

 ripe in July ; juicy and edible, with a pun- 

 gent flavor. Shrub from Japan ; hardy throughout. 



GENUS 72. SHEPHERDIA. 



Small trees or shrubs with opposite, deciduous, entire, 

 silvery-scaled leaves. Flowers very small, dioecious. Fruit 

 small, berry-like, translucent, 1-seeded. 



Sheph6rdia arg6ntea, Nutt. (BUF- 

 FALO-BERRY. BABBIT-BERRY.) Leaves 

 opposite, oblong-ovate, tapering at base, 

 silvery on both sides, with small peltate 

 scales. Branches often ending in sharp 

 thorns. Fruit, scarlet berries the size of 

 currants, forming continuous clusters on 

 every branch and twig, but found only 

 on the pistillate plants. They are juicy, 

 somewhat sour, pleasant-tasting, and make 

 excellent jelly; ripe in September. A 

 small handsome tree, 5 to 20 ft. high, s. argentea. 



wild in the Eocky Mountains, and sometimes cultivated east. Its 

 thorny-tipped branches make it a good hedge-plant. Hardy. 



ORDER XXXV. ETJPHORBlACEJE. 



(SPURGE FAMILY.) 



A large order of mainly herbaceous and shrubby plants 

 of warm countries, with usually milky juice. 



GENUS 73. BfJXUS. 



Shrubs or trees with opposite, evergreen, entire leaves 

 and small flowers. The fruit 3-celled, 6-seeded pods. 



