silverberry Elaeagnaceae Elaeagnus commutata

Leaf:Alternate, simple, elliptical to ovate, entire margins, 1 to 3 inches long, somewhat thickened silvery-shiny above and below with numerous silvery white scales.
Flower:Species is monoecious; flowers yellow, 1/2 inch long, corolla tubular and 4-lobed, fragrant, appearing in spring.
Fruit:A silvery-shiny drupe-like achene, 1/2 inch long and somewhat elongated, ripen in early fall and often occur in great abundance, edible but somewhat dry.
Twig:Slender, light brown and covered in reddish brown, scruffy scales; buds stalked with valvate scales, flower buds more round.
Bark:Shiny reddish gray with numerous lenticels that develop into larger cracks and splits.
Form:A small shrub reaching up to 15 feet in height with a dense rounded crown. Root suckers are common, so often in dense stands.

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