Shepherdia canadensis
 
Canada Buffaloberry

Female Plant
Fruit Top

Moose Mountain Provincial Park
09-July-2009

The fleshy part of the fruit is derived from the hypanthium.  This encloses the dry mature ovary which, in turn, encloses the single seed.

Canadensis Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF) and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this species. 

low undershrub; NOT [shrub or small tree]

plant without thorns; NOT [plant bearing long thorns]

leaves oval; NOT [leaves oblong]

leaves green and nearly glabrous above, silvery below; NOT [leaves silvery on both sides]

 

Shepherdia: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora (BF) and Flora of Alberta (FOA) leading to this genus. 

leaves opposite; NOT [leaves alternate]

flowers unisexual (plant dioecious) ; NOT [flowers perfect]

stamens 8; NOT [stamens 4]

 

Elaeagnaceae: Answers to key questions in Budd's Flora  leading to this family. 

shrubs or trees; NOT [herbs]

plants NOT climbing

plants with erect stems; NOT [plants with decumbent stems]

leaves simple; NOT [leaves pinnately compound]

leaves wider; NOT [leaves linear, 2.5-7 mm long]

leaves silver or brownish scurfy; NOT [leaves aromatic, not silvery or brownish scurfy]

leaves deciduous; NOT [leaves evergreen]

flowers with only one floral ring, with sepals but not petals

flowers NOT in catkins or aments; NOT [male flowers, at least, in catkins or aments]

fruit WITHOUT a feathery style; NOT [fruit with a persistent feathery style]

fruit fleshy when ripe; NOT [fruit dry when ripe]