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Home  /  Plants  /  Budburst Species  /  Symphoricarpos albus
Phenology Observation Sheet for Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

COMMON NAME

Common snowberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Symphoricarpos albus

ALSO KNOWN AS

snowberry

Plant family

Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae)

Plant group

Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Common snowberry is a woody shrub native to much of North America.
413 reports
62+
OBSERVERS
413+
OBSERVATIONS
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Identification hints

Common snowberry has two varieties. Both species have opposite green leaves and clusters of bell-shaped pink to white flowers. Symphoricarpos albus var. albus, is native to eastern North America and smaller in stature in some places rarely reaching a meter tall. In contrast, Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus, native to the Pacific coast, reaches up to 6.feet tall, has a larger fruit, and is occasionally referred to as Symphoricarpos rivularis.
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Did you know?

BIrds, small mammals and other grazers use common snowberry as habitat and for food. Humans also have used the common snowberry in a variety of ways although consuming the berries is mildly toxic leading to a variety of negative digestive symptoms.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Alaska , California , Colorado , Connecticut , Delaware , Iowa , Idaho , Illinois , Indiana , Kentucky , Massachusetts , Maryland , Maine , Michigan , Minnesota , Missouri , Montana , North Carolina , North Dakota , Nebraska , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New Mexico , New York , Ohio , Oregon , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Dakota , Tennessee , Utah , Virginia , Vermont , Washington , Wisconsin , West Virginia , Wyoming
HABITAT
Common snowberry is found along stream banks, in swampy thickets, moist clearings, and open forest at sea level to middle elevations. It tolerates a variety of soil types but thrives in heavy clay soils. It grows well in both shade and sun.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
The egg-shaped up to 1 1/2 inch leaves of common snowberry are oppositely arranged on stems. The top side of the leaf can be green to bluish-green and the underside is usually more pale and hairy.
Flowers
Flowers of the common snowberry are small pink and white bell-shaped flowers with 5 lobes. Up to 15 flowers are typically aggregated in loose clusters.
Fruits
The fruits are roundish, waxy, dull-white berry-like drupes and contain two nutlets.
Bark
The bark is tan-gray to grayish brown and tends to split lengthwise on the older stems revealing younger purple brown bark.
Bloom Time
Common snowberry typically blooms in June and July.

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