Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata)

Native to Northeastern Canada and US east to North Dakota, the Rockies, and north through Alaska. Fleshy berries were eaten by many native tribes made into pemmican and cooked in moose fat by some Alaskan natives. Fast growing native non-leguminous nitrogen fixing shrub can grow 6 or more feet tall and is attractive with its silvery foliage and small fragrant flowers in the spring. An important food and habitat plant for wildlife, with birds loving the berries, browsers grazing the leaves and snowshoe hare relishing its cover. Hardy zones 3-9.