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Inflorescene a cyme, 2-5 flowered; bilaterally symmetric; sepals 4, fused into funnel-shape, enclosing the pistil, 1.2-1.5 cm long, yellow inside, silvery outside; petals absent; stamens 4; pistils 1, ovary superior

2n=28 (Moss, 1983). The strong scent of the flower can be detected from a few meters away; this scent can also be detected when the wood is burned; immature green wood, if burned, smells like human excrement (Johnson et al., 1995). While some groups considered it a famine food, the Cree and Blood mixed with blood, lard, or moose fat and ate (Johnson et al., 1995). The Cree also used the bark to make cord and the seeds as decorative beads (Johnson et al., 1995). Similar species: Elaeagnus angustifolia E. angustifolia is an introduced and escaped ornamental tree. It can be distinguished from E. commutata by thorny branches, yellow flowers about 1 cm long, and yellow berries.