A native shrub with distinctive white berries that persist into winter.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
Symphoricarpos is a small genus of about 15 species of deciduous shrubs in the family Caprifoliaceae. With the exception of the Chinese coralberry, S. sinensis, which is indigenous to western China, all species are native to North and Central America. The name of the genus is derived from the Ancient Greek words συμφορεῖν (sumphoreîn), meaning "to bear together", and καρπός (karpós), meaning "fruit". It refers to the closely packed clusters of berries the species produces. Species in the genus are known by several common names, including snowberry, waxberry and ghostberry.
Source: Wikipedia — Symphoricarpos Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Multi-stemmed shrub with small pink flowers; clusters of waxy white berries.
Similar species. Other Symphoricarpos species.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. N/A — photosynthesis
Behavior. Native shrub with distinctive white berries that persist into winter; important wildlife food.
§ Range
Western North America
§ Habitat
Brushy areas, forest edges
§ Threats
Habitat loss.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the snowberry is currently classified as Least Concern.
§ What helps
Plant native snowberry.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Symphoricarpos
- www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Symphoricarpos albus
- iNaturalist · taxon 52818
- IUCN Red List — search for Symphoricarpos albus
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Symphoricarpos albus
§ Sources cited
- USDA Plants Database
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
