Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus
| Symphoricarpos albus | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus (common name: snowberry)
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[1]. 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[2].
Cuttings of mature wood, 15 - 25cm long preferably with a heel, in a sheltered bed outdoors in winter. High percentage[3][4].
Division of suckers in winter. They can be planted straight Tu into their permanent positions.
Cultivation: Tolerates most soils and conditions, including poor soils and amongst the roots and under the drip of trees[5][4]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a well-drained soil[4]. Does well in sun or shade[6]. Tolerates urban pollution and maritime exposure[4].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[4].
A very ornamental but invasive plant, spreading by means of suckers[6][5]. Its flowers are much visited by bees and the fruit is very attractive to wild life[6][7].
There are some named varieties, developed for their ornamental value[5]. 'Constance Spry' bears a copious crop of large round berries.
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: Western N. America. Naturalized in Britain[8].
Habitat: Banks and flats in canyons and near streams below 1200 metres in California[9].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[10][11][12]. An insipid flavour, it is best if cooked[13]. The fruit is rather boring[K]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[4]. See the notes at top of page regarding possible toxicity.
Medicinal: 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[14]. 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[14].
An infusion of the stems has been drunk to treat stomach problems and menstrual disorders[15].
A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds[14]. 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.[14]
A weak solution of the stems and leaves has been used as a wash for children whilst a stronger solution is applied to sores[15].
The fruit has been eaten, or used as an infusion, in the treatment of diarrhoea[14]. An infusion of the fruit has been used as an eye wash for sore eyes[14].The berries have been rubbed on the skin as a treatment for burns, rashes, itches and sores[14]. 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[14].
A poultice of the crushed leaves, fruit and bark has been used in the treatment of burns, sores, cuts, chapped and injured skin[14].
An infusion of the roots has been used in the treatment of fevers (including childhood fevers), stomach aches and colds[14]. A decoction of the root bark has been used in the treatment of venereal disease and to restore the flow of urine[14]. An infusion of the root has been used as an eyewash for sore eyes[14].
An infusion of the whole plant has been drunk and also applied externally in the treatment of skin rashes[14].
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[14].
Usage: Plants have extensive root systems and are used to stabilize soils on banks and slopes[4].
The branches can be tied together and used as a broom[16][14].
The berries contain saponins and have been used as a hair wash[14].
A mild decoction of the wood has been used as a cleansing wash for babies[14].
The crushed berries have been rubbed into the armpits as an antiperspirant[14].
Very tolerant of trimming, it can be grown as a medium to tall hedge[17]. Its main drawback as a hedge is its propensity to sucker[K].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
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 a
Also Known As: S. racemosus laevigatus. S. rivularis.
Links
References
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Sweet, Muriel. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co, 1962.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 14.15 14.16 14.17 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.