Shepherdia argentea aka Buffalo Berry

Taxonomy

Shepherdia argentea, also known as silver buffaloberry, bull berry, or thorny buffaloberry, is a species of Shepherdia in the Oleaster family. It is native to central and western North America, ranging from the Prairie Provinces of Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) to Ventura County in California, as well as northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. This upright, bushy deciduous shrub resembles a tree and has oblong leaves covered in silvery scales. In early spring, it produces insignificant greenish-yellow flowers, followed by bright red berries on female plants. The plant is noted for its attractive silver-scaled branches and leaves, and its fruit matures in the fall. It typically grows up to 12 feet tall and wide, but can reach heights of up to 18 feet. Shepherdia argentea thrives in various habitats, including riparian areas, woodlands, foothills, plains, and canyons. It was first collected by Meriwether Lewis in 1804 in northeastern Nebraska. The stems of this plant are silver-scaled, and its leaves are opposite, elliptic, and densely-pubescent with silvery scales. The plant produces small, yellowish tubular flowers with a 4-lobed calyx in spring, and if pollinated, female plants bear spherical, pea-sized, bright red fruits either singly or in clusters.

Common names

Buffalo Berry, Rabbit Berry, Silver Buffaloberry

How to care for Buffalo Berry

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Buffalo Berry is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Buffalo Berry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Buffalo Berry loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Buffalo Berry prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Buffalo Berry as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Buffalo Berry’s native range is Central N. America - Manitoba to New Mexico.


More info:
Wikipedia