Scientific Name:
Shepherdia canadensis
Pronunciation:
shep-HUR-dee-uh kan-uh-DEN-siss
Common Name:
buffaloberry, soapberry
Family Name:
Elaeagnaceae
Plant Type:
Shrub - deciduous
Key ID Features:
Stems brownish-scaled; leaves opposite, most ovate, 3-6cm long x 2-3cm wide, margins entire, covered in silver branching hairs and rust-colored scales on lower surface; berries bright red, round-oval, 6-8mm long, spotted, soapy feel when crushed, bitter. Winter ID: twigs and buds covered in brown and silver "scales"; buds oblong, 6-9 mm long, stalked and naked with two ovate valvate scales are ovate to oval and flat, flower buds globose.
Habit:
Dense, Spreading
Form:
Oval - horizontal
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
1.5 - 2.0m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
North America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 2: (-46 to -40 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Alkaline, Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Landscape Uses:
Attract birds, Native planting, Summer interest, Wildlife food
Additional Info:
Google. Compare to silver buffaloberry.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Leathery
Surfaces:
Branching hairs
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Ovate
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers clustered
Flower Morphology:
Dioecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Corolla Shape:
Cruciform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Yellow, Green-yellow
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Additional Info:
Four petal-like sepals
Fruit Type:
Achene, Drupe, Edible
Fruit Colour:
Red
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Not showy, Accessory tissue, Edible, A drupe-like fruit that is really an achene with swollen accessory tissue derived from the sepals
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey
Leaf Bud Type:
Oblong, Stalked, Valvate
Leaf Scar Shape:
U-shaped
Organ Modifications:
Root nodules (N-fixing)
Pest Susceptibility:
Mildew, Rust (Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:
Deer
Course(s):
- not used (on campus)
Location(s):
- (QRR) Quercus Robur Row planting : S. of pavers