Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin - Shepherdia canadensis

Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt.

Family: Elaeagnaceae

rabbit-berry, russet buffalo-berry

[Elaeagnus canadensis (L.) A.Nelson, more...]

Emmet J. Judziewicz

University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)

Open Interactive Map

Etymology: Shepherdia: for John Shepherd," once curator of Liverpool Botanic Gardens
Plants: perennial shrub
Conservation Status: Native

Clay bluffs along rivers and the Great Lakes, dunes, limestone cliffs, dolomitic shores, boreal forests, sedge meadows, deer yards, rich mixed forests of sugar maple, balsam fir, white cedar, and paper birch; rarely in oak forests along Green Bay. This species seems to readily invade open, cleared habitats. This is a distinctive shrub of the boreal forest whose range dips south into the northern Great Lakes states. In extreme northwestern Wisconsin, it is found primarily near Lake Superior (but is strangely absent from the Apostle Islands). In the east, it is closely associated with the shore of Lake Michigan and rarely occurs far from it, except in eastern Marinette Co. Along Lake Michigan, it occurs from around Racine northward to Washington Island but “skips over” large areas between Milwaukee, Port Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and southern Door Co. It’s interesting range and affinity for certain habitats in particular parts of the state deserves further study.