Snowberry
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is a deciduous shrub that can be found in a variety of habitats in the Interior of BC.
- Snowberry grows from underground rhizomes.
- It grows to about 1m but varies in high from 0.5 to 2 m.
- A stiff stem and multiple small stems have opposite oval leaves.
- The inflorescence has a raceme of pink and white bell-shaped flowers.
- Photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox view.
- After flowering white conspicuous berries form and remain over winter months.
- The berries are considered poisonous, but are eaten by some birds, livestock, deer, bears and bighorns sheep.
- Seeds are more widely dispersed in scats and droppings.
- Snowberry shrubs can occupy larger areas, sometimes like a thicket.
- It can be found in a wide variety of habitats.
- A similar species, western snowberry can be found in drier areas and on the fringes of grasslands in our area at lower elevations.
- Snowberry is part of the honeysuckle family.
- It is sometimes used as a decorative plant in gardens or as a landscape shrub to prevent erosion. We have one in our yard and plan to transplant rhizomes for more.