Buffaloberry

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Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentia, western Nevada
Shepherdia argentia, western Nevada
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Elaeagnaceae
Genus: Shepherdia
Nutt.
Species

See text.

The Buffaloberries (Shepherdia) are a genus of small shrubs which have rather bitter tasting berries, native to North America. They are eaten primarily by bears and are presumably so popular with bears because they contain a molecule that helps to keep fat on the body which is useful for the winter season. The genus has three species:

  • S. argentea - Silver Buffaloberry
  • S. canadensis - Canada Buffaloberry
  • S. rotundifolia - Round-leaf Buffaloberry

Buffaloberries are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including The Engrailed and Coleophora elaeagnisella.

Buffaloberries are edible by humans. They are quite sour, and afterwards leave the mouth a little dry. The berry is recognizeable by being a dark shade of red, with little white dots on them. They are rough to the touch, and found on both trees and shrubs. While not indeginous to any certain area, they are quite easy to find in most wooded areas of Connecticut.

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