Shepherdia (Buffaloberries) are a genus of small shrubs which have rather bitter tasting berries, native to northern and western North America. The genus has three species:

• Shepherdia argentea – Silver buffaloberry
• Shepherdia canadensis – Canada buffaloberry
• Shepherdia rotundifolia – Round-leaf buffaloberry

The fruit are often eaten by bears, which by legend, prefer the berries to maintain fat stores during hibernation.

Buffalo berries are edible for humans. They are quite sour, and afterwards leave the mouth a little dry. A touch of frost will sweeten the berries. The berries can be made into jelly, jam, or syrup, or prepared like cranberry sauce from the forefrost berries. The berry is recognizable by being a dark shade of red, with little white dots on them. They are rough to the touch, and found on both trees and shrubs.

For more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_berry

http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1199740454997&lang=eng

http://www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do?id=1235600629132&lang=eng#a02-8

http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0000705

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 8:00 am and is filed under Prairie Fruit.