Russet Buffaloberry

Shepherdia canadensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Elaeagnaceae
Genus:
Shepherdia
Species:
Shepherdia canadensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
8-12 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
apr, may
Bloom Colors:
Yellow
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Bent-line gray (Iridopsis larvaria), Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), common gray (Anavitrinella pampinaria), Forked Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena tigrinaria), Itame brunneata, large looper moth (Autographa ampla), Lycia rachelae, Melanchra assimilis, Pale beauty (Campaea perlata), Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Porcelain Gray (Protoboarmia porcelaria), Scrub Euchlaena (Euchlaena madusaria), Spiramater lutra

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
commonly found in open woods and rocky slopes

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are either placed in cold moist stratification for 60 to 90 days or scarified in concentrated sulfuric acid for 5 minutes and then stratified for 14 weeks at 2 to 5 C or by wet tumbling scarification treatment for 5 days followed by a 90 day cold, moist stratification at 1 to 3C. Cuttings are cut into 20 to 30 cm lengths, with the base recut and 1/3 of leaves or buds removed, treated with 8000 ppm IBA rooting hormone, and placed in a mist bed.

Establishment: The protocols vary in terms of pre-treatment and germination rates. The highest germination rate is achieved with semi-softwood cuttings treated with 8000 ppm IBA. Germination occurs during stratification, especially in the later stages of the treatment.

Source: npn.rngr.net