Shepherdia argentea

Buffalo-berry

Family: Elaeagnaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Buffalo-berry is a native shrub found in eastern Klamath Ranges, Sierra Nevada Highlands, southern Coast Ranges, western Transverse Ranges, San Bernardino Mountains, Modoc Plateau, and northern Sierra Nevada East in stream and river bottom habitats at elevations of 650 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces white flowers on its much-branched stems. Growing 2 to 7 meters tall with extensive branching, the shrub forms a dense, spreading structure. Its leaves are distinctive, measuring 1.3 to 6 centimeters long and 1 to 2 centimeters wide, with an oblong or elliptical shape and a striking silver-green surface. The shrub produces small ellipsoidal red fruits 5 to 7 millimeters long, adding visual interest to its landscape.

Habitat: Along streams, river bottoms, slopes

Bloom period: Apr-May

Elevation: 650-2100 m

Bioregions: e KR, SNH, SCoR, WTR, SnBr, MP, n SNE

California counties: Ventura, Mono, Inyo, Santa Barbara, Kern, Alpine, Modoc, Lassen, San Luis Obispo, Mariposa

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.