+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ## snowberry {#snowberry .Title-Header}                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| *Symphoricarpos albus* (L.) Blake                                     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Plant Symbol = SYAL                                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### 

# Alternate Names

White coralberry, common snowberry

# Uses

*Ethnobotanic*: Some southern groups made brooms out of the branches and
the Gitksan hollowed out the twigs to make pipe-stems (MacKinnon, Pojar,
& Coupe´ 1992). One or two of the berries were eaten by the Stl'atl'imx
to settle the stomach after too much fatty food (Pojar & MacKinnon
1994). An infusion of the fruit was used as eyewash for sore eyes and
the berries were rubbed on the skin as treatment for burns, rashes, and
sores (Moerman 1998). A decoction of the roots and stems was used in the
treatment of the inability to urinate, venereal diseases, tuberculosis
and the fevers associated with teething sickness (Ibid.). A tea made
from the roots of this species was used to clear up afterbirth (Fielder
1975).

*Wildlife*: Snowberry is an important browse for many types of livestock
and wildlife. It is important for shelter and food for various birds and
small mammals.

# Status

# Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values. 

# Description

*General*: Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). Snowberry
(*Symphoricarpos albus*) is a shrub or small tree that grows up to six
meters tall. The leaves are large, opposite, divided into five to seven
leaflets, and toothed or irregularly lobed. The fruits are white, berry
like drupes, and one to one and a half centimeters in diameter. The
flowers are small, white to creamy, with a strong unpleasant odor;
numerous in a rounded or pyramidal parasol-like cluster (Pojar &
MacKinnon 1994); blooming from mid May to July. The fruits are roundish,
dull-white berries about 3/8 inch in diameter, soon becoming blackish,
ripening August or September (Grimm 1993).

*Distribution*: Snowberry inhabits slopes and valley bottoms of the
foothills of the Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada, and the mountains of
southern California (McMinn 1939). It extends northward to British
Columbia and eastward to Pennsylvania and the New England states
(Ibid.).

For current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

# Adaptation

*Symphoricarpos albus* is found along stream banks, in swampy thickets,
moist clearings and open forests at sea level to middle elevations
(Pojar & MacKinnon 1994). It tolerates soil types but grows best in
heavy clay soils. Snowberry grows well in sun or shade.

# Establishment

*Propagation by Seed*: *Symphoricarpos albus* seeds are best sown in the
fall after maturity. Dormancy of this species is caused by hard seed
coat and immature embryo, which can be broken by stratification in sand
and peat for 90 days at 77º, plus 180 days at 41ºF. When the seedlings
are large enough to handle, place them into individual pots and grow
them in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant seedlings into
their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.

# Management

Snowberry fruit contains low concentrations of a bitter principle,
saponin, which foams in water. It is very poorly absorbed by the body
and can be broken down by thoroughly cooking the fruit. Saponin is much
more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, if eaten in large
quantities.

# Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

# Commonly available through native plant nurseries, except in the south. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of Agriculture."

# References

Carter, J.C. 1997. *Trees and shrubs of New Mexico*. Mimbres Publishing.

Dirr, M.A. & M.W. Heuser 1987. *The reference manual of woody plant
propagation*. Varsity Press, Athens, Georgia.

Fielder, M. 1975. *Plant medicine and folklore*. Winchester Press, New
York, New York.

Gleason, H.A. & A. Cronquist 1991. *Manual of vascular plants of
northeastern United States and Canada*. 2^nd^ ed. New York Botanical
Garden, New York, New York.

Grimm, W.C. 1993. *The illustrated book of wildflowers and shrubs*.
Stackpole Books, Mechanisburb, Pennsylvania.

Guard, J.B. 1995. *Wetland plants of Oregon and Washington*. Lone Pine
Publishing, Redmond, Washington.

Hickman, J.C. 1993. *The Jepson manual: higher plants of California*.
University of California press, Berkeley, California.

MacKinnon, A, J. Pojar, & R. Coupe´ 1992. *Plants of northern British
Columbia*. Lone Pine Publishing, Redmond, Washington.

McMinn, H.E. 1939. *An illustarted manual of California shrubs*.
University of California Press, Berkeley, California.

Moerman, D. 1998. *Native American ethnobotany*. Timber Press, Portland,
Oregon.

Pojar, J. & A. MacKinnon 1994. *Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast:
Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Alaska*. Lone Pine Publishing,
Redmond, Washington.

Vines, R.A. 1960. *Trees, shrubs and woody vines of the southwest*.
University of Texas Press, Austin, Press.

# Prepared By:

## *Jammie Favorite*

Formerly, USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 04jun03 ahv; 060817 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
Service](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/).*