Silver Buffalo-berry
Shepherdia argentea

Family: Elaeagnaceae

What it is like

A thorny shrub. It can be a small tree. It grows 3.5 m high and spreads 3.5 m wide. Plants sucker readily. There are silvery brown scales on the leaves and twigs. The twigs are thorny. The leaves fall off during the year. They are opposite and simple. Leaves are 2-6 cm long and oblong. The flowers are white. They occur in small clusters on the previous year's twigs. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The fruit are orange or red. They are berry like and 4-6 mm across. They are red, sour and edible.

There are 3 Shepherdia species. They grow in North America.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is drought tolerant and sun loving. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Canada, Caucasus, Georgia, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh or dried for later use. The fruit are high in iron. They are used for jellies and pies. They are used to make a sauce to flavour meat. The fruit become sweeter after frost. The fruit are dried.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

The plant can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from root suckers. It can be planted as a hedge.

The fruit become more sweet after a frost.

Its other names

Local names

Neraska currant, Rabbit berry, Thorny buffalo berry, Wiapui

Synonyms

Elaeagnus utilis A. Nelson; Hippophae argentea Pursh; Lepargyrea argentea (Pursh) Greene;