| Shepherdia canadensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leaves and berries | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Elaeagnaceae |
| Genus: | Shepherdia |
| Species: | S. canadensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Shepherdia canadensis | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Shepherdia canadensis, commonly calledCanada buffaloberry,russet buffaloberry,[3]soopolallie,soapberry, orfoamberry (Ktunaxa:kupaʔtiⱡ)[4] is one of a small number of shrubs of the genusShepherdia that bears edibleberries.
The plant is adeciduous shrub, growing to a maximum of 1–4 metres (3+1⁄2–13 feet).[5] The leaves are6.5 centimetres (2+1⁄2 in) long, green above, and whitish and brownish below. The fruit is usually red,[5] but onevariety has yellowberries.[citation needed] The berries have abitter taste.[5]
It is anon-legume nitrogen fixer.[6]
The common name of the plant in British Columbia is "soopolallie", a word derived from the historicChinook Jargon trading language spoken in the North American Pacific Northwest in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The name is a composite of the Chinook words "soop" (soap) and "olallie" (berry).[7][ISBN missing]
The species is widespread in all ofCanada, except inPrince Edward Island, and in the western and northernUnited States, includingAlaska[8] andIdaho.[9]
It grows in openings and forestunderstories.[5]
The fruit is edible,[5] but thesaponin chemicals it contains may causegastrointestinal irritation if large quantities are consumed.[citation needed] Unrelated plants in the genusSapindus, also commonly denominated "soapberry," produce toxic saponins.[10]
Some CanadianFirst Nations peoples such asNlaka'pamux (Thompson),St'at'imc (Lillooet), andSecwepemc (Shuswap) in the Province ofBritish Columbia extensively collect the berries. The bitter berries (which may be sweetened by frosts)[11] are processed with other berries asIndian ice cream.[citation needed] The saponins create a foam when the berry is whipped into a dessert dish.[11] First Nations peoples believe that the berry has many health properties. Native-themed restaurants in British Columbia have occasionally offered the berries on their menus.[7][ISBN missing]
