Science & Nature • Plants

Snowberry

Snowberry is the common name for shrubs in the genus Symphoricarpos, especially common snowberry (*Symphoricarpos albus*), a deciduous North American shrub known for its white berry-like fruits.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Snowberry is the common name for shrubs in the genus Symphoricarpos, especially common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), a deciduous North American shrub known for its white berry-like fruits. The plant is used in landscaping and habitat restoration, and its fruits are important wildlife food but are generally not edible for humans.

Taxonomy and naming

Snowberry commonly refers to Symphoricarpos albus and related species in the genus Symphoricarpos. The name refers to the plant’s white, berry-like fruits.

Description

Snowberry is a twiggy, deciduous shrub with opposite leaves and clusters of small pink or white flowers. Its white fruits often remain on the stems through winter.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to North America and occurs across a broad range, including Alaska, Canada, and much of the western and northern United States. It grows in woodlands, thickets, streambanks, and other moist or seasonally moist habitats.

Ecology and uses

Snowberry fruits are eaten by wildlife, and the shrub offers cover and nesting material. It is also used in landscaping, ecological restoration, and erosion control, while traditional uses included medicinal and household applications.

Key facts

Snowberry is a common name used for species in the genus Symphoricarpos, especially Symphoricarpos albus.
It is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae.
The plant produces small pink or white flowers in spring or summer, followed by distinctive white fruits.
Snowberry spreads by rhizomes and can form thickets.
The berries are not considered edible for humans and can be toxic in large quantities.

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Canadian context

Snowberry is native to parts of Canada, including Quebec and British Columbia, and is familiar in Canadian native-plant and habitat-restoration contexts.[6][8]

Frequently asked questions

What is snowberry?

Snowberry is the common name for Symphoricarpos shrubs, especially Symphoricarpos albus, a deciduous shrub native to North America.

What family does snowberry belong to?

Snowberry belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae.

Where does snowberry grow?

It grows in woodlands, streambanks, thickets, slopes, and other open habitats across much of North America.

Are snowberry fruits edible?

No. The berries are generally not edible for humans and may be toxic in large quantities.

Why is it called snowberry?

The name refers to the plant’s distinctive white, berry-like fruits.

References

University of Oregon — https://pages.uoregon.edu/ecostudy/elp/hendricks/pdf_files/symphoricarpos.pdf
Supports: Description, habitat, flowering period, height, and traditional uses of snowberry.
NC State University — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphoricarpos-albus/
Supports: Family, name origin, and common-name explanation for *Symphoricarpos albus*.
Gardenia.net — https://www.gardenia.net/plants/genera/symphoricarpos-snowberry
Supports: Genus-level description, flowers, berries, native range, and garden use.
U.S. National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/common-snowberry.htm
Supports: Native range, habitat, fruit toxicity, and wildlife/ecological information.
University of Washington Bothell — https://www.uwb.edu/wetland/plants/symphoricarpos-albus
Supports: Plant type, leaves, flowering season, habitat, and morphology.
Massachusetts Government — https://www.mass.gov/info-details/snowberry
Supports: Scientific name, family, habitat, range, and conservation status for a regional variety.
Calscape — https://www.calscape.org/Symphoricarpos-albus-var.-laevigatus-(Snowberry)
Supports: Variety information, habitat, and wildlife value.