Shrubs or trees, 1–5 m, densely clonal, from underground stems. Stems armed, spines 2–5 cm. Leaves deciduous; blade elliptic or obovate, 2–5 × 0.5–1.5(–2.5) cm, margins plane, surfaces silvery-pubescent. Flowers: sepals yellow, 2–3 mm on staminate flowers, 1–1.5 mm on pistillate flowers; nectary disc conspicuous. Fruits bright red-orange or yellow, globose, 6–9 mm, fleshy, sparsely lepidote. Seeds brown, 3–4 mm. 2n = 22, 26.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–May.
Habitat: Moist habitats, canyon floors, meadows, open slopes, sometimes on alkaline soils.
Elevation: 300–2300 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Alta., B.C., Man., Sask., Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Iowa, Kans., Mich., Minn., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.Mex., N.Dak., Oreg., S.Dak., Utah, Wis., Wyo.

Discussion

Shepherdia argentea is possibly escaped in the eastern United States (reported from New York; possibly only in gardens).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.