Shrubs, with simple alternate entire leaves, and small yellowish flowers in clusters, opening before the leaves; petals none, the sepals somewhat petal-like.
| One species in Michigan, 5-15 dm. tall, with very tough bark | Leatherwood, Dirca palustris. |
ELAEAGNACEAE, the Oleaster Family
Shrubs, with opposite, silvery-pubescent, simple, entire leaves, and small clusters of inconspicuous yellow flowers in spring.
| One species in Michigan, 1-2 m. high | Buffalo Berry, Shepherdia canadensis. |
LYTHRACEAE, the Loosestrife Family
Herbs or shrubs, with opposite or alternate entire leaves; receptacle cup-shape or tubular, bearing the 5-7 petals and sepals at its margin, and the 6-12 stamens on its inner surface; ovary superior.
| 1a. Stem shrubby (aquatic, stems 1-3 m. long; flowers pink, summer) | Water Loosestrife, Decodon verticillatus. |
| 1b. Stem herbaceous (4-10 dm. high; flowers purple, summer) [— 2.] | |
| 2a. Flowers solitary in the axils; leaves mostly alternate | Loosestrife, Lythrum alatum. |
| 2b. Flowers in terminal panicles; leaves opposite or whorled | Loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria. |
MELASTOMACEAE, the Melastoma Family
Herbs, with opposite leaves with 3-5 principal veins; receptacle urn-shape, bearing 4 sepals and 4 petals at its edge; stamens 8; ovary 4-celled, superior.