Elaeagnus latifolia - South Indian Silverberry

South Indian Silverberry is a large woody climber with young stem, leaves below and inflorescence densely scaly with silvery and coppery scales mixed. It is distinct from the East Himalayan species, the Eastern Silverberry. The two species can be easily distinguished by their leaves. Leaves are alternate, 4-8 x 2.5-4 cm, elliptic oblong, pointed to slightly tapering at tip, narrowed at base, densely scaly below, sparsely so above when young. Flower racemes are short, in leaf-axils, 5-7-flowered. Flowers 0.6-0.7 cm across. Perianth bell-shaped; tube 0.8-1 cm long; lobes 4, 0.2-0.3 cm long, triangular. Stamens 4, included. Ovary 0.2-0.3 cm long, 1-celled; ovule 1; style rolled and included, silvery hairy; stigma lateral. Drupe 1-1.5 x 0.8-1 cm, oblong, orange-red on opening. South Indian Silverberry is found in South India, Sri Lanka, Andaman & Nicobar, and SE Asia. Flowering: January-February.