# Silverberry (*elaeagnus commutata*)

The Silverberry, or Elaeagnus commutata, is a resilient deciduous shrub or small tree native to North America, prized for its distinctive silvery foliage and fragrant flowers. Often found in open, sunny locations, it plays a vital ecological role by enriching soil through nitrogen fixation. Its hardiness and ability to thrive in challenging conditions make it an important species in many ecosystems, providing food and shelter for various wildlife. Despite its somewhat humble appearance, the Silverberry is a fascinating plant with a quiet strength and significant environmental benefits.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Found in dry to moist open woods, clearings, riverbanks, prairies, and disturbed areas across its range.

![Silverberry](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/7857935/medium.jpg)

Photo: Ryan Hodnett, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/7857935)

## Appearance

Silverberry is characterized by its striking, silvery-grey foliage, which is covered in tiny, reflective scales giving it a metallic sheen. The leaves are oval to lance-shaped, typically 2-10 cm long, and alternately arranged. In late spring to early summer, it produces small, yellowish, bell-shaped flowers that are highly fragrant, often hidden among the leaves. These develop into small, round to oblong, silvery-red, berry-like fruits (drupes) that ripen in late summer or fall, also covered in silvery scales. The plant typically grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, reaching 1 to 4 meters in height, sometimes forming a small tree.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Rosales
- **Family:** Elaeagnaceae
- **Genus:** Elaeagnus

## Interesting facts

- Despite its common name, the 'berries' are technically drupes, a type of fleshy fruit with a hard pit, similar to a peach or cherry.
- Indigenous peoples traditionally used the plant for various purposes, including eating the fruit, using the strong fibers for cordage, and medicinal applications.
- Silverberry is often planted in land reclamation projects and for erosion control due to its ability to thrive in poor soils and fix nitrogen.
- The distinctive silvery appearance of Silverberry leaves is due to a dense covering of tiny, star-shaped scales called lepidote scales, which reflect sunlight and help conserve water.

## Special abilities

- **Nitrogen Fixation:** Silverberry forms a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. This enriches the soil, benefiting itself and surrounding plants.
- **Drought Tolerance:** Thanks to its silvery, scaly leaves which reduce water loss, and a robust root system, Silverberry is exceptionally tolerant of dry conditions and poor soils.
- **Wildlife Food Source:** Its edible, if somewhat mealy, fruits provide a valuable food source for various birds and mammals, particularly in late summer and fall, aiding in seed dispersal.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 100-400 cm
- **Weight:** 5-50 kg
- **Lifespan:** 20-50 years

## Diet & Feeding

As a plant, Silverberry produces its own food through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars. It absorbs essential nutrients and water from the soil through its roots.

- **Primary Foods:** Sunlight, Carbon Dioxide, Water, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
- **Foraging Method:** Photosynthesis And Nutrient Absorption

## Ecological connections

- **Mutualism:** Nitrogen-fixing bacteria (*Frankia*) — Forms a mutualistic relationship in its roots.
- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Eats the fruits and disperses seeds.
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on its foliage.
- **Mutualism:** Honeybee (*Apis mellifera*) — Pollinates its flowers.

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Silverberry?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Silverberry?

100-400 cm

### How much does Silverberry weigh?

5-50 kg

### How long does Silverberry live?

20-50 years

### What does Silverberry eat?

As a plant, Silverberry produces its own food through photosynthesis, converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars. It absorbs essential nutrients and water from the soil through its roots.

### Where is Silverberry usually found?

Found in dry to moist open woods, clearings, riverbanks, prairies, and disturbed areas across its range.

### How does Silverberry hunt?

Photosynthesis And Nutrient Absorption

## Where to spot

- [Gakona Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gakona-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Silverberry: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/silverberry)