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Silverthorn Bush
(Elaeagnus pungens)
Species Distribution
Height:
This shrub grows from a height of one meter to a height of nine meters.
Leaf and Bark Type:
These leaves are lanceolate with entire wavy margins arranged alternately on the stem. The leaves are anywhere fomr 2 to 4 inches long and no more that 2 inches wide. The upper leaf surfaces are waxy green and notably scaly. The lower leaf surface are silvery and scaly.
Where does it grow and in what conditions:
The silverthorn is not native to the United states and was introduced from asia inthe 1830s. This shrug is seen in massachusetts and Washington DC as well as Texas, Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana and Florida. It grows in shady woodland understories, urban riparian forest and in ruderal habitats. It grows in temperatures from -10 degrees farenheit 100 degrees farenheit. They typically grow at an elevation of 3,300 feet and can grow in a variety of soil types, textures and conditions. They grow in occasionally wet, alkaline to acidic clays, sands or loams.
Pollinators:
It is pollinated by wind, and produces perfect dioecious flowers.
Flowers:
The flowers are 1/2 to 5/8 inches long, pale yellow to white. They are bell shaped with a sweet smelling fragrance. They grow in clusters of one to three flowers in the fall.
Fruits:
The fruits are drupes and are round and red with silver scales.
Uses
The silverthorn bush was introduced from China and Japan as an ornamental plant and is used as a landcaping plant in the United States. This shrug is often planted in highway medians in the southwest. It is a good food source for many bird species and is known to be and herbal treatment for asthma and chronic bronchitis in traditional Chinese medicine.
GPS location
Submitted by Clifton and Yarbrough
Citations:
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/653
http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/elapun/all.html#PollinationAndBreedingSystem
http://s850.photobucket.com/user/applefeet_photos/media/1-IMG_7263_zps060a914b.jpg.html
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