Buffaloberry
Common name: BUFFALOBERRY
Species very drought hardy and salt tolerant; commonly used in wildlife plantings and for shelterbelts.
Latin name: Shepherdia argentia Nutt
Type of tree: broadleaf (native shrub)
- Bark (colour and texture): lateral branches have sharp spines at tip and are almost perpendicular to the main branch
- Leaves (shape, size, etc.): silvery, 2 to 5 centimetres in length
- Form: bushy shrub with an irregular growth habit
Height: 4 to 5 metres
Growth rate: medium
Fruit and flowers: small yellow flowers appear in late June or early July; male and female flowers are borne on separate plants; female plants bear orange-red berry-like fruit
Soil: performs best in moist well-drained sites; good alkali tolerance
Limitations: suckers freely and forms dense irregular hedge that may be considered undesirable