Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)

buffaloberries (genus Shepherdia) are bushes with silvery foliage, native to North America, close to the genera Elaeagnus (Bohemian olive tree) and Hippophae (sea buckthorn).

Height at maturity: 4.5 m (15 ft)
Width at maturity: 3.5 m (12 ft)
Recommended spacing: 1 m (3 ft)
Growth speed: moderate
Longevity: 30 to 50 years
Notes: its establishment can be difficult; forms dense, irregular hedges; suckers profusely; not suitable for poorly drained wetlands; suitable for saline or nutrient-poor soils
Origin: indigenous

The silver buffaloberry is a thorny shrub that suckers profusely to form dense and irregular hedges. Highly adaptable, it grows best on moist but well-drained soils, although it is also drought tolerant, and can grow on moderately saline soils. In addition, it tolerates less fertile soils due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. It prefers full sun but tolerates a certain amount of shade.

This buffaloberry is called silver because of its small silver-gray leaves. The branches and tips of the branches have strong, sharp thorns. The individuals, which are either male or female, produce discreet flowers, followed by small acidic red fruits (on female individuals only) which ripen in August and persist until winter.

In farm shelterbelts, it is recommended to plant silver buffaloberry in an exterior row. Mixed with other species, it provides food and shelter for various birds and other animals. Its persistent fruits are particularly valuable as a winter food. Additionally, the flowers provide a source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects early in the season. The fruits are bitter, but good in jelly and with a little sugar everything is manageable! Silver buffaloberry was used by Native people to season bison meat. This shrub is dioecious, which means that the male flowers and female flowers are on different plants. It is therefore necessary to have one of each sex in order to obtain fruiting.

http://www.businessinsider.com/buffaloberry-is-the-new-superfruit-2013-11