1	"Leaves deciduous"	2
1	"Leaves evergreen"	5
2	"Upper surface of leaves permanently silvery or scurfy"	3
2	"Upper surface of leaves becoming green"	4
3	"New growth and lower surface of leaves with silver scales"	"Elaeagnus angustifolia"
3	"New growth and lower surface of leaves with golden brown scales"	"Elaeagnus commutata"
4	"Ovary with a pronounced constriction above; fruit mostly 1–1.5 cm wide on stalks more than 1 cm long"	"Elaeagnus multiflora"
4	"Ovary tapered above; fruit less than 1 cm wide on stalks less than 1 cm long"	"Elaeagnus umbellata"
5	"Leaves with an abrupt point"	"Elaeagnus macrophylla"
5	"Leaves tapering to the tip (although less so in E._ebbingei)"	6
6	"Branches thorny; leaves oblong-ovate, whitish below and with a brown midrib"	"Elaeagnus pungens"
6	"Branches thornless; leaves elliptic, silvery below, midrib slightly darker"	Elaeagnus×ebbingei