Shepherdia canadensis
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Created: Thursday, October 14, 2021 - 07:45Creator: Robert Flogaus-FaustRights: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shepherdia_canadensis_2_RF.jpgStandard and Creative Commons Licensing:  Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) |
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Created: Thursday, October 14, 2021 - 07:45Creator: Matt LavinRights: https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/7996245315/Standard and Creative Commons Licensing:  Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) |
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Shepherdia canadensis is an upright growing deciduous shrub. It is best identified by the oval leaves which have a dark green surface on top, and a silvery-white, fuzzy surface beneath. This bottom part of the leaf is also often covered with brown spots. Flowers are yellowish-brown. The fruits are bright red, translucent, and oval.
Foamberry is popular among many groups throughout the Northwest as a treat, a gift, and an important trade item. The berries can be whipped with a little water into a light, tasty froth. Today, sugar is sometimes added. Berries may also be eaten fresh, dried, or boiled into a syrup.
The berries, juice, twigs, and leaves were also used medicinally for a wide variety of illnesses, including as a laxative.
Foamberry grows in relatively dry, open forests.