Snowberry

"Western Snowberry" (Symphoricarpos occidentalis)

2007 July 7

Notice that the flowers are stalkless with "long styles that are hairy near the middle and stick out from the floral tube". This is what distinguishes the "Western Snowberry" from the "Common Snowberry" the latter having "short stalked, sparsely clustered flowers with hairless styles that do not stick out from the floral tube".

2007 August 9

2007 August 9

This shrub can be seen all over this area, especially down by the lake. It produces an abundance of white berries that are unfortunately not really edible. Some Native peoples did make a tonic out of them to relieve sore eyes and other peoples used them as a cure for diarrhea. The berries overwinter, food for the birds when times are tough!

"Common Snowberry" (Symphoricarpos albus)

2007 July 2 (Vancouver)
The leaves also are slightly different.