Buffalo Berry, Silver Buffaloberry,
Shepherdia argentea

Family: Elaeagnaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.

Shepherdia argentea is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in March, and the seeds ripen from July to December. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

Banks of streams and open wooded areas, often on limestone and on sandy soils.

Central N. America - Manitoba to New Mexico.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, North America, USA

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. It can also be dried and used like currants. A tart but pleasant flavour even before a frost, it becomes sweeter after frosts. The fruit is also used for making preserves, pies etc. The fruit should be used in moderation due to the saponin content. The fruit is produced singly or in clusters, it is up to 9mm long and contains a single seed.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The berries are febrifuge, laxative and stomachic. They have been eaten in the treatment of stomach complaints, constipation and fevers.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Other

Rating: 4

The plants can be grown as a hedge and windbreak. A red dye is obtained from the fruit. Because it has a wide-ranging root system, forms thickets and is wind tolerant, it is sometimes planted for erosion control.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Hedge: Hedge

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Massing. Succeeds in an ordinary well-drained moisture retentive soil. Tolerates poor dry soils and maritime exposure. Established plants are drought resistant. A very cold-tolerant plant. Plants rarely produce fruit in Britain. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties. 'Xanthocarpa' has yellow fruits. The fruit is difficult to harvest because the shrub is very thorny. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed are required. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 6 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.)

Propagating it: Seed - it must not be allowed to dry out. It is best harvested in the autumn and sown immediately in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made it will be possible to plant them out in the summer, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame sometimes work.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 3-9

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The fruit contains low concentrations of saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Its other names

Local names

Rabbit berry, Thorny buffalo berry, Nebraska currant,

Synonyms

Hippophae argentea. Elaeagnus utilis. Lepargyrea argentea