Snowberry Symphoricarpus spp.
Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)
Branching: Alternate
Other names: Wolfberry
There are several members of this genus throughout the continent, and at least two in Ontario (S. alba and S. occidentalis).
They are small, slender shrubs and easily overlooked in the
winter, though they often grow in small "thickets". They closely
resemble some Honeysuckles and the Bush-honeysuckle. The ones pictures here are S. alba.
Bush-honeysuckles don't have hollow stems, and regular
Honeysuckles are likely to be taller and a lighter tan (though the
differences between Snowberry and some of the Honeysuckles are very
slight). The white, spongy
"berries" of Snowberry are distinctive; S. occidentalis has similar berries, though they usually are in clusters and become more discoloured with time.
Winter twig of Snowberry
Another view of the winter twig
Lateral buds
Another view of the lateral buds
Lateral buds and leaf scar
Winter twig and "berry" of Snowberry
The inside of the "berry" is white and spongy
A Snowberry leaf
Pith of Snowberry is hollow, like vine and non-native Honeysuckles, but unlike Bush-honeysuckle
Stem of Snowberry
A more striped-looking stem. The bark can become somewhat shaggy with age
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