Shepherdia canadensis

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Shepherdia canadensis 38574.JPG


Plant Characteristics
Habit   shrub

Height: 2.5 m"m" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 2.5.
Width: 8 ft"ft" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 8.
Lifespan: perennial
Origin: N America
Cultivation
Exposure: sun, part-sun
Water: moist, moderate, dry
Features: edible, fruit, drought tolerant
USDA Zones: 2 to 9
Flower features: orange, yellow
Scientific Names

Elaeagnaceae >

Shepherdia >

canadensis >


The Canada Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis), also known as Russet Buffaloberry, Soopolallie, Soapberry, or Foamberry, is one of a small number of shrubs of the genus Shepherdia bearing edible red berries. One recognized form however bears yellow fruits. The berries have an extremely bitter taste.

The plant is a deciduous shrub found in open forests and thickets all over North America. Its northern limit is around the Arctic Circle. The shrub reaches a height of 1–4 m (3–13 feet).

Fruits are extensively collected by some Canadian First Nations peoples such as Nlaka'pamux (Thompson), St̓átimc and Secwepemc (Shuswap) in the province of British Columbia. The bitter berries are not eaten directly but rather processed as sxusem ("sxushem") or "Indian ice-cream". Branches bearing fruit are hit with a stick and only the very ripe fruits that fall off are collected. A clean mat or tarpaulin is placed below the bush for collection.

Persons reading about saponins should be forewarned that unrelated plants in the genus Sapindus, which produce highly toxic saponins, share the common name soapberry with the edible Canada Buffaloberry. References to Sapindus "soapberry" toxins should not be misattributed to Canada Buffaloberry.

A decidious Shrub growing to 2.5m at a medium rate.

It is hardy to zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen from July to September. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required)The plant is not self-fertile. It can fix Nitrogen.


Read about Shepherdia canadensis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Shepherdia canadensis, Nutt. (Lepargyraea canadensis, Greene). Spreading twiggy bush 3-6 or even 8 ft. tall, the young branches brown-scurfy: lvs. ovate, oval, or elliptic, rather thick, green above but rusty beneath: fls. yellowish, in short clusters at the nodes: fr. small (1/4 in. or less long), oval, red or yellow, insipid. Along streams and on lake-banks, Newfoundland to Brit. Col. and in the northern tier of states, and southward in the mountains to Utah.—The yellow-fruited form has been distinguished as f. xanthocarpa, Rehd. CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Succeeds in an ordinary well-drained moisture retentive soil[1, 3, 11]. Tolerates poor dry soils[200] and maritime exposure[182]. Established plants are drought resistant[182]. Plants can accumulate mercury when they are grown in polluted soils[172]. Rarely produces fruits in Britain[182]. Some named varieties have been developed for their ornamental value[200]. 'Xanthocarpa' has yellow fruits, 'Rubra' has red fruits[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if fruit and seed is required.

Propagation

Seed - it must not be allowed to dry out[113]. It is best harvested in the autumn and sown immediately in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made it will be possible to plant them out in the summer, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame sometimes work[113].

Pests and diseases

Varieties

Gallery

References

External links