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Symphoricarpos albus
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake
Common Snowberry
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SYAL
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
A sparsely branched shrub 2-5 ft. tall, gradually forming a thicket 4-6 ft. wide. The slender, wiry twigs bear small, opposite leaves and inconspicuous flower clusters followed by large, snow white berry-like fruit which eventually turns brown. This hollow-stemmed shrub has tiny, pinkish-white, bell-shaped flowers in small terminal or axillary clusters.
This plant was once popular in old-fashioned dooryard gardens; variety laevigatus of this shrub is also cultivated. Two other species are often encountered: Coralberry (S. orbiculatus), with sessile, axillary, purplish-green flowers and showy clusters of pink berries; and Wolfberry (S. occidentalis) a dry prairie shrub with pale pink flowers, leathery, oval leaves, and greenish-white fruit.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OR , PA , RI , SD , TN , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Que. to AK, scattered southward to MA, WV, WI, n.e. IA, CO & CA
Native Habitat: Wooded hillsides; rocky, open slopes
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Infertile sands and gravels.
Conditions Comments: Anthracnose, rusts, powdery mildews and berry rot can be frequent problems. Var. albus is the easterly variety; var. laevigatus is a more erect, western plant.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Songbirds, gamebirds, small mammals and browsers use this plant for food, cover, and nesting sites.Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Berries. Low toxicity if eaten. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea. Toxic Principle: Calcium oxalate and possibly saponic glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Vashti sphinx (Sphinx vashti) Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Snowberry starts easily from suckers or offshoots; cuttings may also work well. Seeds need to be treated.Seed Collection: Fruits can be collected anytime druing the fall and winter by stripping or flailing onto drop cloths. Seeds can be extracted by macerating the fruits in water.
Seed Treatment: Seeds sown in fall require warm stratification (80 degrees for 90-120 days). Spring sown seeds need an additional cold stratification (41 degrees for 4-6 months).
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | UPL | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Symphoricarpos albus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphoricarpos albus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphoricarpos albus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-28Research By: TWC Staff