Common Name: Buffalo Berry

General Information

Shepherdia canadensis is a much-branched, deciduous, unarmed shrub usually growing 1.6 - 2.5 metres tall[]. The plant spreads slowly by means of short suckers, gradually forming a thicket of growth[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes used in soil reclamation projects and is also occasionally grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

The fruit contains low concentrations of saponins[].
Although poisonous, saponins also have a range of medicinal applications and many saponin-rich plants are used in herbalism (particularly as emetics, expectorants and febrifuges) or as sources of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Saponins are also found in a number of common foods, such as many beans.
Saponins have a quite bitter flavour and are in general poorly absorbed by the human body, so most pass through without harm. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of raw foods that contain saponins.
Saponins are much more toxic to many cold-blooded creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish and make them easy to catch[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America - Alaska to Newfoundland, south to Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico and Pennsylvania

Habitat

Calcareous rocks, banks and sandy shores[], usually in partial shade[]. Shores, riverbanks, dry slopes, moist north slopes, open rocky woods, and occasionally in calcareous marshes, forming dense thickets along riparian zones and valley bottoms[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Shepherdia canadensis is a very cold-tolerant shrub, but also has a wide climatic range being found from Alaska to New Mexico. It generally grows well in cultivation outside its native range, but often fruits disappointingly[, ].
Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade[]. Succeeds in an ordinary well-drained moisture retentive soil[, , ]. Tolerates poor dry soils[] and maritime exposure[]. Established plants are drought resistant[].
Seed production begins at the age of 4 - 6 years, with good seed crops generally produced every year after that[].
Rarely produces fruits in Britain[]. Some named varieties have been developed for their ornamental value[]. 'Xanthocarpa' has yellow fruits, 'Rubra' has red fruits[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required. Occasional monoecious specimens are found[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , , ]. The fruit can also be dried and used like currants. A tart but pleasant flavour even before a frost, it becomes sweeter after frosts[]. Another report says that the fruit is bitter and is dried, smoked or pressed into cakes[]. The fruit was a favourite treat of the North American Indians, they would beat it in an equal quantity of water until a foam with a consistency of beaten eggs was formed. It was important that the berries were not allowed to come into contact with anything greasy since this would prevent it becoming foamy[]. The foam would then be flavoured with a sweet food such as cooked quamash bulbs or other fruits and then served as a special treat in feasts etc. The taste is bitter sweet and is not always enjoyed the first time it is eaten, though it normally grows on one. Nowadays sugar is used to sweeten it and the confection is called 'Indian ice cream'[, ]. The fruit should be used in moderation due to the saponin content[]. The yellowish-red to bright red, egg-shaped fruit is about 6mm in diameter[, ].

Medicinal

Buffalo berry was commonly employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who used it in the treatment of a range of complaints[]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism.

A poultice of the bark, softened by hot water and mixed with pin cherry bark (Prunus pensylvanica), has been used to make a plaster or bandage for wrapping broken limbs[]. An infusion of the bark has been used as a wash for sore eyes[].
The inner bark is laxative[]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of constipation[].

The roots are antihaemorrhagic and cathartic[]. An infusion of the roots has been used as an aid to childbirth and in the treatment of tuberculosis and the coughing up of blood[].

A decoction of the stems has been used as a stomach tonic (it was also used to treat stomach cancer) and also in the treatment of constipation, high blood pressure and venereal disease[]. A decoction of the stems and leaves has been used as a wash in the treatment of sores, cuts and swellings[].

A decoction of the plant has been used externally as a wash and rub for aching limbs, arthritic joints, head and face sores[].

The berries have been eaten as a treatment for high blood pressure[]. The fruit juice has been drunk in the treatment of digestive disorders[]. It has also been applied externally in the treatment of acne and boils[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is useful for revegetating disturbed sites, providing food and cover for wildlife, and also fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Its nitrogen-fixing ability allows it to grow in soils with low amounts of mineral nitrogen, which are common in disturbed areas, whilst it also enhances the growth of associated species by producing "an island of fertility" around its perimeter[].
It can be used in the revegetation of mining spoil sites[].
Plants can accumulate mercury when they are grown in polluted soils[].

Other Uses

Because of its saponin content, the fruit is a potential soap substitute. It is macerated in water to extract the saponins[].

A decoction of the branches has been used as a hair tonic for dyeing and curling the hair[]. The branches were harvested in mid summer, broken up and boiled for 2 - 3 hours in water, until the liquid looked like brown coffee. The liquid was decanted off and bottled without further treatment - it would store for a long time without deterioration. To use, the decoction was rubbed into the hair which was simultaneously curled and dyed a brownish colour[].

The berries, the froth made from them, or a jelly of the fruit, have been eaten as an insect repellent[]. It was said that mosquitoes were far less likely to bite a person who had eaten the fruit[].

Propagation

Seed - it must not be allowed to dry out[]. It is best harvested in the autumn and sown immediately in a cold frame. Stored seed is more problematic - it has a limited germination ability and is very susceptible to greenhouse pathogens. It requires 2 - 3 months cold stratification and so may not germinate until after the following winter[, ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made it will be possible to plant them out in the summer, otherwise grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring or early summer.
Direct planting of properly scarified seeds may be successful[].
Root cuttings are usually successful[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame sometimes work[], but are generally unsuccessful[].