Shepherdia canadensis, commonly called Canada buffaloberry, russet buffaloberry, soopolallie, soapberry, or foamberry is one of a small number of shrubs of the genus Shepherdia that bears edible berries with a bitter taste.
Soapberry is also commonly known as Canadian or Russet Buffaloberry, Rabbitberry, Soopolallie, or Foamberry. Common names refer to how its crushed red berries can be whipped into a foam. The species is widespread in all of Canada and in the western and northern United States, including Alaska and Idaho. The plant is a deciduous shrub of open woodlands and thickets, growing to a maximum of 1–4 m (3.3–13.1 ft). Soapberry is a good choice for nitrogen-poor sites due to its association with a nitrogen-fixing, filamentous bacteria, (Frankia sp.), which live in its root nodules. This silvery, shrub with its “flocked” appearance could be perfect for a dry, rock garden. Its red berries are attractive in summer.
