Shepherdia
(named after J. Shepherd, curator of the Liverpool Botanic Garden, who died in 1836). SYN. Leptargyreia. ORD. Elaeagnaceae. A small genus (three species) of ornamental, hardy, deciduous shrubs or small trees, natives of North America. Flowers dioecious, small, very shortly spicate or racemose, opposite the small bracts at the sides of the rachis. Fruitbearing perianth baccate and persistent at base. Leaves opposite, petiolate, oblong, entire. Two of the species have been introduced. They require similar culture to Hippophae (which see). S. rotundifolia, not yet introduced to cultivation, is a handsome shrub, peculiar to the mountains of Southern Utah. S. argentea (silvery). Beef Suet-tree; Rabbit Berry. fl. yellow. April. fr. scarlet, edible, acid-flavoured. l. narrower than in S. canadensis, tapering at base, silvery on both sides. Tall shrub or small tree. 1820. S. canadensis (Canadian). fl. yellowish, covered with rusty scales. May. fr. yellowish-red, insipid. l. elliptic or ovate, nearly naked and green above, beneath silvery-downy and scurfy with rusty scales. h. 3ft. to 6ft. 1759.