Symphoricarpos mollis

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Symphoricarpos mollis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Dipsacales
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Symphoricarpos
Species:
S. mollis
Binomial name
Symphoricarpos mollis
Nutt. 1841

Symphoricarpos mollis, with the common names creeping snowberry,[1] Southern California snowberry, and trip vine, is a shrub in the Honeysuckle Family (Caprifoliaceae).[2] It is found in western North America from British Columbia to California inland to Nevada and Idaho.[3][4]

Range and habitat[edit]

The shrub does well in warm climates and can tolerate both intense sun and constant shade. It is a plant of chaparral ecosystems, especially along coastlines.

Growth pattern[edit]

The plant is a creeping shrub, low growing and straggling, with stems that can reach several feet while the height limited to only about 1 1/2 ft.[2] It reproduces both from via rhizome and seed.

Leaves and stems[edit]

Leaves are opposite. Stems are flexible.

Inflorescence[edit]

It bears bunches of red or pink rounded, bell-shaped flowers and spherical or bulbous white or pink-tinted fruits.

The fruits are not generally considered toxic but are distasteful, having a soapy texture due to the presence of saponins.

References[edit]

  1. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Symphoricarpos mollis". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b Flowering Plans of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd. Ed, 2000, p. 91
  3. ^ Calflora taxon report, University of California, Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt. Trailing Snowberry, creeping snowberry, snowberry
  4. ^ Jones, George Neville 1940. A monograph of the genus Symphoricarpos. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 21(2): 201-252

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