A contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Elaeagnus (Elaeagnaceae) in Iran as a native and cultivated tree

The genus Elaeagnus (Elaeagnaceae) has been introduced in Iran by one or two species, i. e. E. angustifolia and E. orientalis . The species are widely cultivated trees, but native in a few localities. They are extremely variable in shape of leaves and fruits. Fruits used to be eaten highly and as they have variable tastes, the preferred ones have been subject to selection in the course of time. Nowadays, several distinct cultivars are known in Iran. The species and cultivars were studied in the field and different herbaria in Iran. In this paper a single Shurei, are¡ Kolahi, and¡ Churuk,,¡ Khormai,,¡ Anabi,,¡ Shekari,,¡ species E. angustifolia and its six cultivars, i.e.introduced from Iran.