Wolf Willow/Silverberry / Elaeagnus commutata

Took this macro photo yesterday morning on a walk in the Weaselhead. The silvery berries of the native Wolf Willow or Silverberry shrub look attractive in winter, especially when seen against a blue sky. This shrub is popular with the Calliope Hummingbird and, in fact, this photo was taken in "The Meadow" in Weaselhead, where one can see these tiny birds. It has a very strong scent - some people love it, others dislike it intensely - I love it : )

"Wolf willow berries were used by Blackfoot Natives to make seed necklaces. The berries were boiled to remove the flesh and the pointed nutlets strung onto necklaces or used to decorate the fringes on clothing. Each seed is dark brown with yellow stripes. When the first settlers arrived, the women quickly learned the art from the natives, and wolf willow seed necklaces became a popular gift to send home.

Wolf willow fruit is mealy and dry, but was still eaten by some First Nations. Blackfoot Indians peeled and ate the berries or mixed them with grease and stored them in a cool place. This was eaten as a confection or added to soups and broths. The berries were sometimes mixed with blood or sugar and cooked for food. Children suffering from frostbite were treated with a strong solution made from the bark. The essential oil is in demand for aromatherapy.

Though commonly called wolf willow, this plant species is not a willow at all. Instead, it belongs to the Elaeagnaceae (Oleaster) family and is related to thorny and Canada buffaloberry (Shepherdia)."

plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/wolf-willow