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Native Plant Database

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Shepherdia canadensis (Russet buffaloberry)
Weyand, Phyllis

Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt.

Russet buffaloberry, Rabbitberry

Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster Family)

USDA Symbol: shca

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A small, loosely branched shrub of rounded outline, 6-8 ft. high and equally as wide, with thick, leathery, gray-green to russet-green foliage. Small, inconspicuous, yellow flowers are followed by yellowish-red, oval-shaped fruits. The orange-dotted white bark give the branches a rusty appearance. Branches opposite; young twigs brownish, scaly.

Deer and Elk consume the foliage of this shrub, while Grizzly and Black Bears consume the berries.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: White-Gray
Fruit: Red
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , IL , IN , ME , MI , MN , MT , ND , NM , NV , NY , OH , OR , PA , SD , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Nf. to AK, s. to ME, PA, Great Lakes, s. Man., CO Rockies, ID & OR; occurs locally in n. Great Plains
Native Habitat: Moist slopes; wooded, rocky hillsides; conifer openings
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Adaptable, but prefers moist, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Tolerates the poorest of soils; does well in dry or alkaline situations. Low maintenance. Extremely cold- and drought-tolerant. For fruit set both male and female plants are required.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Plant is best propagated by cuttings. Treated seeds will also work.
Seed Collection: Fruits may be collected by stripping or flailing from the branches. Seeds can be separated with a macerator and water.
Seed Treatment: Stratify for 60-90 days at 41 degrees. Acid scarification for 20-30 min. proves beneficial.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Shepherdia canadensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Shepherdia canadensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Shepherdia canadensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-18
Research By: TWC Staff

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