(Russet Buffaloberry)

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Shepherdia canadensis, Golden Horseshoe, Breckenridge 6747

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Shepherdia canadensis, Golden Horseshoe, Breckenridge 6750

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Shepherdia canadensis, Golden Horseshoe, Breckenridge 6764/6789

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Shepherdia canadensis, Golden Horseshoe, Breckenridge 6758

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Shepherdia canadensis, Golden Horseshoe, Breckenridge 6794

Scientific Name Shepherdia canadensis USDA PLANTS Symbol SHCA
Common Name Russet Buffaloberry, Canada Buffaloberry ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 27779
Family Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster) SEINet
Reference
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Description Life zones and habitat: Foothills to subalpine (7500 to 11600 ft.); pine forests, shady areas.
Plant: Shrub 20 to 80 inches tall; dioecious; stems with brownish, scaly bark, without spines or prickles.
Leaves: Opposite, lanceolate to ovate, 1-1/2 to 2-3/4 inches long; green upper surfaces with star-shaped (stellate) hairs, grayish lower surface dotted with brownish scale and stellate (star-like) hairs.
Inflorescence: Small yellow-green flowers at leaf axils on newer branches, about 1/8-inch across, no petals, bowl-shaped calyx with 4 triangular, petal-like lobes. Staminate plants with 1 or more male flowers in each axil with 8 protruding stamens; pistillate plants with just 1 female flower in each axil and with protruding pistil.
Bloom Period: May to July.
Fruit: Small red or yellow-red berries about 1/3-inch across, a few scaly bumps on surface.
References: Minnesota Wildflowers and "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield.
BONAP Distribution Map


Map Color Key
Colorado Status:
Native

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains