Eleaagnaceae : Oleaster Family

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Spermatophyta (seed bearing)
• Angiospermae (enclosed seeds)

Class: Dicoteldonae (two seed-leaves)

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Genera: 2

Species: 2

Elaeagnus commutata (Silverberry)

Shepherdia canadensis (Soapberry)

English Name(s):

Oleaster Family

Gwich'in Name:

Description:

• Shrubs (ours)or small trees.
• Leaves simple, margins entire (smooth).
• Flowers in clusters from the leaf axils. Without petals.
• Ovary inferior (within receptacle) and with one carpel (female part).
• Fruit are drupe-like; are formed by a dry indehiscent(not opening) achene surrounded by the fleashy persistent (not falling off) perianth (sepals + petals).

Natural History:

• All species are native to the northern hemisphere.

Family Size:

World:

Genera: 3

Species: 50

North America:

Genera: 3

Species: ?

Yukon:

Genera: 2

Species: 2