Symphoricarpos albus Snowberry

A deciduous, arching shrub with slightly rounded or broadly-oval leaves which is native to North America. It is quite variable and occurs in diploid, triploid and tetraploid forms (2n = 36, 54, 72) and represented in Britain as Symphoricarpus albus subsp. laevigatus. It produces small tubular, pink flowers, hairy on the inside, which give rise to conspicuous white, globular fruits. It was introduced to Britain in 1817 and first recorded wild in Oxfordshire in 1863. It is widely planted and suckers vigorously from rhizomes which allow it to naturalise and spread slowly to form thickets. It is found throughout Britain and is widespread in hedges, scrubby areas and urban areas such as retail parks in West Glamorgan.

Neophyte