Virginia Tech Dendrology

buffaloberry Elaeagnaceae Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. symbol: SHCA
Leaf: Opposite, simple, elliptical to ovate, entire margins, 1 to 2 inches long, somewhat thickened dark green above with numerous silvery white scales, silvery white below with red-brown scales.
Flower: Species is dioecious; male and female flowers both light yellow-green, small (1/6 inch) and inconspicuous, appearing in early spring.
Fruit: A bright red drupe-like achene, 1/3 inch long and somewhat elongated, 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.
Bark: Shiny reddish gray with numerous lenticels that develop into larger cracks and splits.
Form: A small shrub reaching up to 6 feet in height (occasionally much larger) with a dense rounded crown.
Looks like: roundleaf buffaloberry - Russian-olive - silverberry - autumn-olive

Additional Range Information: Shepherdia canadensis 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