Russett buffaloberry

Shepherdia canadensis

Deciduous thicket-forming shrub up to 13 ft. tall with bright red fruit and yellow-brown inconspicuous flowers, blooming May to September. Cold hardy, adapted to dry to moist rocky, sandy or gravelly, nutrient-poor soils on dry slopes, valley bottoms, open rocky woodlands, forests, shorelines and riparian areas; up to 11,000 ft. elevation. Sprouts from the root crown after disturbance and wildfire and some populations may be rhizomatous. Fixes nitrogen. Provides cover for numerous birds and small mammals. High protein browse but low palatability to livestock and wildlife. Fruit is important for bears as well as small mammals and birds. Pollinated by honeybees and numerous native bees.