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Creeping Snowberry

Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray

Broad-scale Impacts of Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the terms: cover, severity

In northern Idaho creeping snowberry increased to a maximum 100 percent
canopy cover five years following a clearcut and low severity broadcast
burn; it increased to a 95 percent cover after a high severity broadcast
burn [23].
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Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Common Names

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creeping snowberry
snowberry
spreading snowberry
trailing snowberry
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Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Cover Value

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More info for the term: cover

Creeping snowberry provides nesting cover for the endangered least
Bell's vireo, in southern California [10].
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Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Description

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More info for the terms: fruit, shrub

Creeping snowberry is a trailing shrub about 1.5 to 2 feet (0.3-1.5 m)
high. Its branches trail from 3 to 6 feet (1-3 m). Leaves are opposite
on hairy twigs; flowers form clusters. Creeping snowberry produces a
white, round fruit with two nutlets [11,15,24].
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution

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Creeping snowberry has a very limited range, from southern, coastal
British Columbia south to southern California and from Washington east
to northern Idaho [15,16,24,33].
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Ecology

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More info for the term: fire regime

Creeping snowberry reproduces by rhizomes following fire [22].

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Management Considerations

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Creeping snowberry is a potential spot fire hazard when near firelines
[25].
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info for the term: phanerophyte

Phanerophyte
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat characteristics

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More info for the terms: cover, mesic

Creeping snowberry most commonly occurs on dry, sunny slopes at low to mid
elevations [2,4,11,16,33], although it can occur in shady, mesic communities
as well [6,24,25]. Creeping snowberry forms its greatest cover in 60 to
100 percent full sunlight [7]. Elevational ranges have been listed for
California: 1,000 to 5,000 feet (305-1,500 m) [6,12] and Oregon: 1,000
to 6,480 feet (305-1,975m) [2,3,29]. Creeping snowberry occurs on
coarse sands and gravels, sandy alluvium deposits, as well as fine
sandy-loam and silt loams, and moderately deep floodplains and terraces
[13,20]. In British Columbia creeping snowberry occurs in maritime and
submaritime climates on moderately dry nitrogen-medium soils [33].

Some overstory associates of creeping snowberry include big leaf maple
(Acer macrophyllum), California hazel (Corylus cornuta), incense-cedar
(Calocedrus decurrens), red alder (Alnus rubra), white fir (Abies
concolor), red fir (A. magnifica), western hemlock, and Douglas-fir.
Some understory associates include redstem ceanothus (Ceanothus
sanguineus), salal (Gaultheria shallon), red huckleberry (Vaccinium
parvifolium) oceanspray (Holodiscus spp.), rhododendron (Rhododendron
spp.), mahonia (Berberis spp.), currant (Ribes spp.), rattail fescue
(Festuca myuros), and silver hairgrass (Aira caryophyllea) [3,4].
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

207 Red fir
210 Interior Douglas-fir
211 White fir
213 Grand fir
221 Red alder
224 Western hemlock
229 Pacific Douglas-fir
230 Douglas-fir - western hemlock
231 Port-Orford-cedar
241 Western live oak
243 Sierra Nevada mixed conifer
244 Pacific ponderosa pine - Douglas-fir
245 Pacific ponderosa pine 246
246 California black oak
247 Jeffrey pine
248 Knobcone pine
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES20 Douglas-fir
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES23 Fir - spruce
FRES24 Hemlock - Sitka spruce
FRES27 Redwood
FRES28 Western hardwoods
FRES34 Chaparral - mountain shrub
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Plant Associations

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: forest

K004 Fir - hemlock forest
K005 Mixed conifer forest
K006 Redwood forest
K007 Red fir forest
K011 Western ponderosa forest
K012 Douglas-fir forest
K029 California mixed evergreen forest
K030 California oakwoods
K033 Chaparral
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Immediate Effect of Fire

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Creeping snowberry is usually top-killed by fire [22]. Some consider
it to be a weak sprouter after fire because rhizomes in the humus layer
can be destroyed [25].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Key Plant Community Associations

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More info for the terms: forest, shrub

Creeping snowberry is a dominant shrub in a few forested communities.
Publications listing creeping snowberry as an indicator or dominant
species in habitat types (hts) and plant associations (pas) are listed
below.

Area Classification Authority

OR: Siskiyou forest hts Atzet & Wheeler
Mountain Prov. 1984
OR: Willamette NF forest pas Hemstrom & others
1987
WA: Gifford Pinchot forest pas Topik 1989
NF
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Life Form

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More info for the term: shrub

Shrub
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Management considerations

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More info for the term: cover

Saponin in the leaves of creeping snowberry could be toxic to livestock
and wildlife, but no ill effects have been reported on Western ranges
[31].

Creeping snowberry did not show significant increases in cover until 40
years following clearcutting and broadcast burning in western hemlock
(Tsuga heterophylla)/Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) habitat types
in the western Cascade Mountains of Oregon [28].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Occurrence in North America

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CA ID OR WA BC
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Other uses and values

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Traditionally, Native Americans crushed the leaves of creeping snowberry
to treat sores and wounds. The bark was boiled to remedy tuberculosis
and venereal disease. Stems were used for arrows and pipes [11].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Phenology

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Flowering dates for creeping snowberry have been listed as follows:

Oregon: June through July [11]
southern California: March through August [6]
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Plant Response to Fire

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Creeping snowberry sprouts from rhizomes following fire [22].
license
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Post-fire Regeneration

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More info for the term: seed

survivor species; on-site surviving rhizomes
off-site colonizer; seed carried by animals or water; postfire yr 1&2
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regeneration Processes

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Creeping snowberry mainly reproduces by rhizomes. It is typically not a
seed banker as seeds "probably are not viable for long or do not survive
fire" [22]. Birds and small mammals disperse seeds [11]. To break
dormancy, seeds can be treated with sulfuric acid and stratified for 6
months in sand or soil at temperatures between 36 to 46 degrees
Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees C) [21].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

1 Northern Pacific Border
2 Cascade Mountains
3 Southern Pacific Border
4 Sierra Mountains
5 Columbia Plateau
8 Northern Rocky Mountains
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Successional Status

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More info for the term: shrub

Creeping snowberry is an indicator in some forested communities of the
Pacific Northwest [1,11,29]. It is shade intolerant and
indicative of warm, dry sites [10,14,33]. It becomes a dominant shrub
in Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) stand openings [19].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Synonyms

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Symphoricarpos hesperius
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Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Taxonomy

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The currently accepted scientific name of creeping snowberry is
Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt. (Caprifoliaceae)[15,16,24,33].
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bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Value for rehabilitation of disturbed sites

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More info for the term: seed

Creeping snowberry is useful for erosion control because of its rhizomes
[21]. It can be propagated through cuttings or, less successfully, by
seed. Seeds should be collected from September through October.
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Snyder, S. A. 1991. Symphoricarpos mollis. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Symphoricarpos mollis

provided by wikipedia EN

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

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

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

Leaves are opposite. Stems are flexible.

Inflorescence

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

  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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Symphoricarpos mollis: Brief Summary

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

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