Citations for the Trees, which I have recently put at the Sky
8643 Quercus
1988 SC. Discovered 1988 Sep. 16 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Quercus, a genus belonging to the family Fagaceae. The tree Quercus robur (English oak) reaches a height of 30-40 m and age of more than a thousand years. (MPC 34347)
8644 Betulapendula
1988 SD. Discovered 1988 Sep. 16 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Betula pendula (silver birch), a species in the genus Betula belonging to the family Betulaceae. It is a beautiful tree with an almost white bark. It grows fast and reaches a height of about 25 m and an age of 60-80 years. (MPC 34347)
8647 Populus
1989 RG. Discovered 1989 Sep. 02 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for populus, a genus belonging to the family Salicaceae. Populus nigra (black poplar) is a fast-growing tree with a height of about 30 m, whereas Populus tremula (trembling aspen) is easily recognizable by its shimmering appearance. (MPC 34347)
8648 Salix
1989 RJ. Discovered 1989 Sep. 02 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Salix, a genus belinging to the family Salicaceae. Salix alba (white willow) is a small tree with long, thin leaves. This fast-growing tree is used for windbreaks and screens. Salix caprea (goat or pussy willow) is a fast-growing small tree with striking catkins in early spring. (MPC 34347)
8649 Juglans
1989 SS2. Discovered 1989 Sep. 26 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Juglans, a genus belonging to the family Jugaldaceae. Juglans regia (English walnut) produces a particularly delicious fruit. (MPC 34347)
8652 Acacia
1990 EA5 . Discovered 1990 Mar. 02 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Acacia, belonging to the family Mimosaceae. Acacia mearnsii (mimosa) is a shrub with feathery leaves composed of many small leaflets. The strongly scented tiny yellow flowers are grouped in loose, rounded clusters. (MPC 34348)
8656 Cupressus
1990 QY8 . Discovered 1990 Aug. 16 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Cupressus, belonging to the family Cupressaceae. Cupressus macrocarpia (Monterrey cypress) produces a durable wood. Cupressocyparis leylandii (Leyland cypress), hybridized from the macrocarpia, has scale-like dark green leaves that are arranged at various angles to the shoot. These trees are typical of the landscape in Tuscany. (MPC 34348)
8657 Cedrus
1990 QE9 . Discovered 1990 Aug. 16 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Cedrus, belonging to the family Pinaceae. Cedrus libani (cedar of Lebanon) has a fruit that is an ovoid upright cone. (MPC 34348)
8833 Acer
1989 RW . Discovered 1989 Sep. 03 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Aceraceae, the maple family, with two genera and more than 100 species. One well-known species is Acer saccharum (sugar maple), the sap of which is used for maple syrup and maple sugar. (MPC 34348)
8834 Anacardium
1989 SX2 . Discovered 1989 Sep. 26 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Anacardiaceae, the cashew or mango family, with 80 genera and over 800 species of evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs and climbing plants. Anacardium occidentale (western cashew) yields a delicious fruit. (MPC 34348)
8835 Annona
1989 SA3 . Discovered 1989 Sep. 26 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Annonaceae, the custard apple family, with more than 2000 species. The trees are mainly tropical and include the species Annona squamosa (sweetsop), wich has a sweet, pulpy fruit. (MPC 34348)
8836 Aquifolium
1989 SU3 . Discovered 1989 Sep. 26 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Aquifoliaceae, the holly family, with 700 evergreens and deciduous species. Ilex aquifolium (English holly) belongs to this family, as does Ilex paraguariensis (Yerba maté), wich makes a tasteful tea. (MPC 34348)
8850 Bignonia
1990 VQ6 . Discovered 1990 Nov. 15 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Bignoniaceae, the catalpa family, with about 100 genera and 700 species with tubular flowers. Among them are Bignonia capreolata (trumpet flower) and Crescentia cujete (calabash). (MPC 34348)
8852 Buxus
1991 GG6 . Discovered 1991 Apr. 08 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Buxaceae, the box family, with four or five genera and some 60 species of evergreen trees and shrubs. Buxus sempervirens (English boxwood) has very small leaves and is used for hedges and borders. (MPC 34349)
8856 Celastrus
1991 LH1 . Discovered 1991 Jun. 06 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Celastraceae, the staff-tree family, with 100 genera and over 1000 species including many climbing plants. These include Celastrus scandens (bittersweet) and Euonymus europaeus (European spindle tree), the latter having pink fruit and orange seeds. (MPC 34349)
8857 Cercidiphyllum
1991 PA7 . Discovered 1991 Aug. 06 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Cercidiphyllaceae, a family with only one member, Cercidiphyllum japonicum (katsura), regarded as a plant of primitive origin. It was originally classified as belonging to the magnolias, but it seems more related to the planes. (MPC 34349)
8858 Cornus
1991 PT7 . Discovered 1991 Aug. 06 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Cornaceae, the dogwood family, with about 12 genera and 100 species of evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs. Species include Cornus sanguinea (red dogwood) and Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). (MPC 34349)
8872 Ebenum
1992 GA4 . Discovered 1992 Apr. 04 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Ebenaceae, the ebony family, with only two genera and 500 species. Male and female flowers are usually borne on separate plants. The Dispyros genus dominates, the fruit of the Diospyros virginiana (persimmom) being good to eat. Diospyros ebenum (Macassar ebony) is a valuable wood. (MPC 34349)
8886 Elaeagnus
1194 EG6 . Discovered 1994 Mar. 09 by E.W. Elst at Caussols.
Named for Elaeagnaceae, the oleaster family with three genera and about 50 species. In many species the flowers develop into edible fruits. Elaeagnus augustifolia (Russian olive) has important commercial value for its fruits. (MPC 34349)
9019 Eucommia
1987 QF3 . Discovered 1987 Aug. 28 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Eucommiaceae, a family with only one member, the elmlike Eucommia ulmoides, a vigorous and decorative plant. It is the only tree from temperate regions that produces latex in small quantities. (MPC 34349)
9020 Eucryphia
1987 SG2 . Discovered 1987 Sep. 19 by E. W. Elst at Smolyan.
Named for Eucryphiaceae, a family with five species in a single genus. Eucryphia cordifolia (Chilean elm) may reach a height of 12 m. Hybrids between the different species are cultivated for the garden. (MPC 34349)
9021 Fagus
1988 CT5 . Discovered 1988 Feb. 14 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Fagaceae, the beech family, with eight genera and over 1000 species, including oaks and chestnuts. Well-known species are Fagus grandifolia (American beech) and Fagus sylvatica (European beech). (MPC 34349)
9040 Flacourtia
1991 BH1. Discovered 1991 Jan. 18 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Flacourtiaceae, the Indian plum family, with almost 90 genera and 900 species. Flacourtia indica (governor’s plum) is one of the species, and the southeast Asian genus Hydnocarpus produces an oil that is used for treating some skin diseases. (MPC 34350)
9053 Hamamelis
1991 VW5. Discovered 1991 Nov. 02 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Hamamelidaceae, the witch hazel family, with about 25 genera and 100 species, typical in South America and Africa. Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) is not a true hazel, although the leaves are similar. (MPC 34350)
9054 Hippocastanum
1991 YO. Discovered 1991 Dec. 30 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Hippocastanaceae, the horse-chestnut family, with only two genera and 15 species. Aesculus hippocastanum (common horse-chestnut) is known for its creamy yellow flowers, in large, conical, upright panicles. (MPC 34350)
9203 Myrtus
1993 TM16. Discovered 1993 Oct. 09 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Myrtaceae, the myrtle family of aromatic trees and shrubs, with more than 100 genera and nearly 4000 species. This family is typical of the Southern Hemisphere, where the Eucalyptus genus is prevalent. Myrtus communis (common myrtle) is a species native to the Mediterranean and is cultivated as far north as England. (MPC 34351)
9242 Olea
1998 CS3. Discovered 1998 Feb. 06 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Oleaceae, the olive family, with about 25 genera and nearly 1000 species. Genera include ash, lilac, jasmine and forsythia. Olea europa (common olive) is profitable as a fruit and source of oil. (MPC 34351)
9306 Pittosporum
1987 CG. Discovered 1987 Feb. 02 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Pittosporaceae, the Australian laurel family, with nine genera and more than 200 species, mainly in tropical Africa and Pacific islands. Among the species is Pittosporum eugenioides (lemonwood). (MPC 34352)
9309 Platanus
1987 SS9. Discovered 1987 Sep. 20 by E. W. Elst at Smolyan.
Named for Platanaceae, the plane family, with one genus and seven species. They grow wild mainly in the United States and Mexico, but they are also typical of southern France. Platanus acerifolia (London plane) reaches a height of almost 30 m and is widely planted in cities because of its resistance to air pollution. The brown, bristly fruits, hanging two to four together on a single stalk, persist over the winter. (MPC 34352)
9313 Protea
1988 CH3. Discovered 1988 Feb. 13 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Proteaceae, the firebush family, with some 75 genera and over 1000 species. They are native to the Southern Hemisphere, where they grow wild. Some species, such as Protea mellifera (honeyflower), extend also to the warm regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The family is best known for its ornamental plants, such as Embothrium coccineum (Chilean firebush), which are cultivated for their edible nuts. (MPC 34352)
9316 Rhamnus
1988 PX2. Discovered 1988 Aug. 12 by E.W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and climbing plants, with 60 genera and around 900 species. They grow wild in all parts of the world. Some of the species yield dyes. The berrylike fruits appear in dense clusters. Rhamnus purshina (bearwood) produces a dry bark (cascara sagrada) that is used as a laxative. (MPC 34352)
9326 Ruta
1989 SP2. Discovered 1989 Sep. 26 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Rutaceae, the rue family, with over 150 genera and 1500 species, including citrus fruits. Ruta graviolens (common rue) is a perennial herb with a particularly strong scent. The family thrives in tropical and warm, temperate regions. (MPC 34352)
All citations by the discoverer.