Buffaloberry
Shepherdia canadensis
mihkominahtik(Cree)
A nitrogen-fixing shrub (Shepherdia canadensis is thornless, unlike its southern relative S. argentea) found on open slopes and forest edges across Alberta. The tart berries were traditionally whipped with water into a foamy 'Indian ice cream' (sxusem) — a cherished feast food. Rich in lycopene and vitamin C; a critical late-summer food source for grizzlies. Bushes are dioecious — you need a male and female plant for fruit.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Province-wide, Zone 2
Light
Full sun to part shade
Bloom Time
Aug–Sept (harvest)
Soil
Tolerates lean, rocky, or alkaline soils; fixes its own nitrogen
Water
Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Seed requires 60–90 days cold moist stratification and may need scarification. Softwood cuttings in early summer root with bottom heat. Suckers from the root crown can be detached and transplanted in early spring.
Spacing
1.5–2 m
Always verify plant identification with multiple sources before consuming any wild plant. This information is for educational purposes only.
