Virginia Tech Dendrology

silver buffaloberry Elaeagnaceae Shepherdia argentea (Pursh) Nutt. symbol: SHAR
Leaf: Opposite or sub-opposite, simple, deciduous, elliptical to ovate or obovate, entire margins, 1 to 2 inches long, somewhat thickened; dark green above with silvery white scales, paler and pubescent below with silvery scales.
Flower: Species is dioecious; male and female flowers yellow-brown and inconspicuous, appearing in early spring.
Fruit: A bright red drupe-like achene, 1/4 inch long, ovoid, generally with a few silvery scales, ripen in mid to late summer and often occur in great abundance.
Twig: Slender, light brown and covered in numerous reddish brown, scruffy scales; buds stalked with valvate scales, flower buds more round; twigs often sharp-pointed or bearing thorns.
Bark: Gray-brown with shallow furrows and flat-topped ridges, later exfoliating.
Form: An upright shrub up to 20 feet in height with a dense rounded crown; often forming thickets and spreading from rhizomes.

Additional Range Information: Shepherdia argentea is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information