Family: Elaeagnaceae
rabbit-berry, russet buffalo-berry
[Elaeagnus canadensis (L.) A.Nelson, more... ]
Etymology: Shepherdia: for John Shepherd," once curator of Liverpool Botanic Gardens
Plants: perennial shrub
Conservation Status: Native
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.
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = NI USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"