Montana Field Guide

Shrub 1–3 m high, spreading by roots. Stems unarmed; twigs mealy, becoming brown, then gray. Leaf blades narrowly ovate to elliptic, 2–7 cm long, white-mealy, silvery beneath. Flowers sweetly scented; hypanthium campanulate, 6–10 mm long, silvery outside; sepals 3–5 mm long, yellowish inside. Fruit ellipsoid, 9–12 mm long (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).

American Silverberry – Elaeagnus commutata, native and desirable:
* Shrubs with twigs that have white-mealy hairs (trichomes), becoming gray.
* Leaves are alternately arranged, ovate to elliptic, white-mealy above, and silvery below.
* Twigs lack thorns.
* Fruits are silvery-green and dry (olive-like).

Russian Olive – Elaeagnus angustifolia, exotic, undesirable, and Regulated:
* Tall shrubs or small trees with twigs that have white-mealy hairs (trichomes), becomeing orange-brown.
* Leaves are alternately arranged, narrowly lanceolate, white-mealy above, and silvery below.
* Twigs have thorns.
* Fruits are silvery-green and dry (olive-like).

Silver Buffaloberry - Shepherdia argentea, native and desirable:
* Shrubs with twigs that have white-mealy hairs (trichomes), becoming gray.
* Leaves are oppositely arranged, oblanceolate, and white-mealy below.
* Twigs have thorns.
* Fruits are orange to red, juicy berries.

Canada Buffaloberry - Shepherdia canadensis, native and desirable:
* Shrubs with twigs that have brown-mealy hairs (trichomes), becoming gray.
* Leaves are oppositely arranged, narrowly ovate, and brown-mealy below.
* Twigs lack thorns.
* Fruits are orange to red, juicy berries.

Forming thickets on banks of rivers, streams; plains, valleys (Lesica et al. 2012. Manual of Montana Vascular Plants. BRIT Press. Fort Worth, TX).