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Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus
| Common name: |
Snowberry |
Family: |
Caprifoliaceae |
| Author: |
(Fernald.)S.F.Blake. |
Botanical references: |
11, 71, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Symphoricarpos rivularis (Suksd.), Symphoricarpos racemosus laevigatus (Fernald.) |
| Known Hazards: |
The fruit contains saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins but it would take extremely large doses of many kilos of fruit from this plant in order to produce toxic symptoms[65]. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. |
| Range: |
Western N. America. Naturalized in Britain[17]. |
| Habitat: |
Banks and flats in canyons and near streams below 1200 metres in California[71]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
2 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 2 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| S. albus ssp. laevigatus[B,P]
S. albus var. laevigatus[B,CPHOTO,CAL,CAL,G,L,P]
Symphoricarpus racemosus[H]
Symphoricarpus rivularis[H]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Common Snowberry [P], Coral-berry [H], Indian Currant [H], Sneeuwbes [D], Snowberry [H,L], Turkey-berry [H], Waxberry [H], Wolf-berry [H], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
albus = white
laevigatus = smooth
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Dipsacales. Honeysuckle family
|
Physical Characteristics
A decidious shrub growing to 3m by 2m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 3. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
We rate it 2/5 for edibility and
2/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires dry or moist soil.
The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade.Edible Uses
Fruit.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 105, 161]. An insipid flavour, it is best if
cooked[177]. The fruit is rather boring[K]. The fruit is about 15mm in
diameter[200]. See the notes at top of page regarding possible toxicity.
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Disinfectant
Diuretic Febrifuge Laxative Ophthalmic Poultice Salve Skin Stomachic TB VD Warts.
Snowberry was commonly employed medicinally by several native North
American Indian tribes who valued it especially for the saponins it contains.
These saponins can be toxic, but when applied externally they have a gentle
cleansing and healing effect upon the skin, killing body parasites and
helping in the healing of wounds. The native Americans used it to treat a
variety of complaints but especially as an external wash on the skin[257].
The plant is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. Any internal use of
this plant should be carried out with care, and preferably under the
supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity.
The whole plant is disinfectant, diuretic, febrifuge and laxative[257].
An infusion of the stems has been drunk to treat stomach problems and
menstrual disorders[213].
A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds[257]. A
poultice of the chewed leaves has been applied, or an infusion of the leaves
has been used as a wash, in the treatment of external injuries[257].
A weak solution of the stems and leaves has been used as a wash for children
whilst a stronger solution is applied to sores[213].
The fruit has been eaten, or used as an infusion, in the treatment of
diarrhoea[257]. An infusion of the fruit has been used as an eye wash for
sore eyes[257].The berries have been rubbed on the skin as a treatment for
burns, rashes, itches and sores[257]. The berries have also been rubbed on
warts in order to get rid of them - this treatment needs to be carried out at
least three times a day for a period of a few weeks[257].
A poultice of the crushed leaves, fruit and bark has been used in the
treatment of burns, sores, cuts, chapped and injured skin[257].
An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of fevers (including
childhood fevers), stomach aches and colds[257]. A decoction of the root bark
has been used in the treatment of venereal disease and to restore the flow of
urine[257]. An infusion of the root has been used as an eyewash for sore
eyes[257].
An infusion of the whole plant has been drunk and also applied externally in
the treatment of skin rashes[257].
A decoction of the roots and stems has been used in the treatment of the
inability to urinate, venereal disease, tuberculosis and the fevers
associated with teething sickness[257].
Other Uses
Broom
Cosmetic Hair Hedge Soap Soil stabilization.
Plants have extensive root systems and are used to stabilize soils on
banks and slopes[200].
The branches can be tied together and used as a broom[99, 257].
The berries contain saponins and have been used as a hair wash[257].
A mild decoction of the wood has been used as a cleansing wash for
babies[257].
The crushed berries have been rubbed into the armpits as an
antiperspirant[257].
Very tolerant of trimming, it can be grown as a medium to tall hedge[29].
Its main drawback as a hedge is its propensity to sucker[K].
Cultivation details
Tolerates most soils and conditions, including poor soils and amongst
the roots and under the drip of trees[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay
soils. Prefers a well-drained soil[200]. Does well in sun or shade[1].
Tolerates urban pollution and maritime exposure[200].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40° c[200].
A very ornamental but invasive plant, spreading by means of suckers[1, 11].
Its flowers are much visited by bees and the fruit is very attractive to wild
life[1, 94].
There are some named varieties, developed for their ornamental value[11].
'Constance Spry' bears a copious crop of large round berries.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed
requires 3 months warm then 5 months cold stratification[98]. When they are
large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow
them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their
permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected
frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113].
Cuttings of mature wood, 15 - 25cm long preferably with a heel, in a
sheltered bed outdoors in winter. High percentage[78, 200].
Division of suckers in winter. They can be planted straight Tu into their
permanent positions.
Cultivars
- ''
- There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
Web References
References for Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus (a possible synonym).
References for Symphoricarpus racemosus (a possible synonym).
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
References for Symphoricarpus rivularis (a possible synonym).
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
References for the family Caprifoliaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[29] Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974 ISBN 0900629649
A small but informative booklet giving details of all the hedging plants being grown in the R.H.S. gardens at Wisley in Surrey.
[65] Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984 ISBN 0723408394
Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.
[71] Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959
An excellent flora but no pictures. Not for the casual reader.
[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[94] Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962 ISBN 0-911010-54-8
Useful wild plants in Western N. America. A pocket guide.
[98] Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
Very comprehensive guide to growing trees and shrubs from seed. Not for the casual reader.
[99] Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7
Excellent and readable guide.
[105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.
[113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009
A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
[161] Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.
A comprehensive but very terse guide. Not for the casual reader.
[177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.
[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
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