Common snowberry is a native, deciduous, shrub that is densely branched.
Flowers are borne in small clusters that produce white drupes. It is tolerant of mildly acidic to moderately alkaline conditions and somewhat tolerant of salts. In general, common snowberry is a shrub characterized by survival through rhizomes. Common snowberry initiates budding in early May in the northern Rocky Mountains. This budding can be delayed a month in Canada and Alaska or happen a month early in the Southwest depending on elevation and weather conditions.