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Symphoricarpos occidentalis
Symphoricarpos occidentalis Hook.
Western Snowberry, Wolfberry
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: SYOC
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A small shrub, to 4 ft. tall, with numerous erect branches arching at the top. Gray-green leaves are opposite and oval shaped with coarse, round teeth. Clusters of non-showy, pink flowers are followed by greenish-white berries, soon discoloring to brown or black. Forms extensive colonies.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 4 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Green, Purple
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: CO , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NM , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , SD , TX , UT , WA , WI , WYCanada: AB , ON , SK
Native Distribution: Man. to s.e. B.C., s. to MI, n. NM & n. WA
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky hillsides; sand plains; prairies; open woods
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, infertile gravels to deep, well-drained, prairie loams.
Conditions Comments: Short-lived but vigorous suckering habit can maintain colonies. Used for erosion control.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Songbirds, gamebirds, small mammals and browsers use this plant for food, cover, and nesting sites.Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Berries. Low toxicity if eaten. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea. Toxic Principle: Calcium oxalate and possibly saponic glycoside. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Hummingbirds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | UPL | UPL | UPL | FACU | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Symphoricarpos occidentalis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Symphoricarpos occidentalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Symphoricarpos occidentalis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-02Research By: TWC Staff