Symphoricarpos albus var. albus

SIMILAR SPECIES: This variety bears close resemblance to Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. It may also be mistaken for Ligustrum spp. S. albus var. albus has terminal and/or axillary clusters of small (5-8 mm.) pink flowers, large white berries, young twigs pubescent, and leaves pilose beneath. S. albus var laevigatus has terminal and/ or axillary clusters of small (5-8 mm.), pink flowers, large white berries, young twigs glabrous, and leaves glabrous beneath. S. orbiculatus has terminal and axillary clusters of smaller (3-4 mm.) greenish or purplish flowers and red or coral berries. Ligustrum spp. have terminal cymes of small white flowers and purplish berries.

TOTAL RANGE: Que. to s. AK, s. to VA, MI, MN, and CA.

STATE RANGE: There is a post-1960 record from Ottawa county. Pre-1960 records occur from Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Franklin, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Medina, Summit, and Wood counties (Braun, 1961). Some of these records may be from adventive plants.

STATE STATUS: 1980-1987: Endangered, 1988 to present: Presumed Extirpated.

HABITAT: Dry or rocky soil, margins of northern hardwood forests, wooded ravines, second growth woods. In Ohio, this variety is reported from limestone ridges and gravelly crests of rocky hills.

HAZARDS: Browsing by deer, overshading in late successional stages.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown; presumed poor judging from the drastic decline in reported populations.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Mature flowering or fruiting material is necessary for accurate identification.

COMMENTS: Although this variety is definitely native to Ohio, it also can spread from plantings. Populations should be studied to determine their origin. Because this taxon and the var. laevigatus are easily confused, it may be overlooked. It should be sought throughout northern Ohio.

Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus is a western shrub ranging from se. AL to CA and e. MI. This variety is commonly planted as an ornamental in Ohio and is a common escape. Some Ohio records may represent this non-indigenous variety.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Braun, E.L. 1961. The woody plants of Ohio. The Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus, OH. 362 p.

Cooperrider, T.S. 1995. The Dicotyledoneae of Ohio. Part 2. Linaceae through Campanulaceae. Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus, OH. 656 pp.

Dusek, G.L. 1975. Range relations of mule deer and cattle in prairie habitat. J. Wildl. Manage. 39: 606-616.

Hauser, E.J.P., Jr. 1965. The Caprifoliaceae of Ohio. Ohio J. Sci. 65: 118-129.

Salamun, P.J. 1979. Preliminary reports on the flora of Wisconsin No. 68. Caprifoliaceae – honeysuckle family. Trans. Wisc. Acad. Sci., Arts, Lett. 67: 102-129.

Soper, J.H. and M.L. Heimberger. 1982. Shrubs of Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada. 495 p.

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Created: 11/1983 David P. Emmitt

Database Code: SPNV.A02