Shrubs or small trees with silvery scurfy leaves. Flowers either perfect or unisexual, sometimes both kinds on the same plant. Flowers with 4 sepals but no petals, and 4-8 stamens. Fruit is drupe-like. Of interest is that all species in this family have nodules on the root system in which nitrogen compunds are formed.
The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is naturalized. It has been planted widely for windbrakes and ornamental and is now firmly established.
Genera found in Manitoba:
Elaeagnus Shepherdia