Description

Common Snowberry –  Symphoricarpos Albus

The common snowberry is a medium-sized deciduous shrub (1-2m). Though poisonous to humans and pets, the berries are beautiful and stay on the plant throughout the winter months and are quite ornamental. Many parts of the plants can be used medicinally, and it attracts a range of wildlife including songbirds, small mammals, and butterflies.

Height: 1-2m

Edible: N

Medicine: Y 

Other Uses: N

Poisonous: Y

Soil: Sandy or rocky

Watering: Moderate to dry

Sun: Partial shade to full sun

Usually found at: Wooded hillsides and rocky open slopes

Pollinators & wildlife: Pollinated by bees. Attract a range of wildlife including hummingbirds, butterflies, songbirds, and small mammals.

Ornamental: Often used as an ornamental bush, its white berries stand out against its bare branches in winter. Its pale pink flowers are attractive to humans, butterflies, and hummingbirds in the summer.

Leaves:  Small, 2-5 cm long leaves are ovate, rounded, or elliptical in shape and attach as opposite pairs on branches.

Flowers: Small, 0.5 cm long, bell-shaped flowers end in drooping clusters at the tip of branches. They have pale pink in colour.

Berries: Initially pale green globose berries ripen to a white colour in late summer to early fall.

First Nations uses: The berries are known to be crushed and used to treat burns, warts, rashes, and sores. The roots and stems can be used in tea to treat stomach ailments.

 

Note: Native plant sales are pick-up only at Suwa’lkh School (1432 Brunette Ave in Coquitlam). Email suwa’lkh@freshroots.ca for more information.