Symphoricarpos longiflorus
Fragrant snowberry, Fragrant Snowberry
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Caprifoliaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Symphoricarpos longiflorus (Fragrant snowberry) is a native California shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, recognized by fragrant, long tubular flowers and dry fruits.
Fragrant snowberry is a California native shrub found in the Great Basin and Desert Mountains in rocky habitats at elevations of 1,350 to 1,600 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces fragrant pink or cream flowers 8 to 15 millimeters long with slender tubes often colored red or purple externally. Growing 0.9 to 1.2 meters tall with stiff branches that can be spiny, the shrub features young red or brown bark that becomes white and shredding with age. Its leaves are small and thick, approximately 0.5 to 2 centimeters long, with a bluish-green color and lanceolate shape. The fruit is a dry, narrowly elliptic structure approximately 7 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by fragrant, long tubular flowers and dry fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Among rocks
Elevation: 1350-1600 m
California counties: Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Modoc, Plumas, Lassen
Outside California: to Colorado, Texas
Bloom period
Symphoricarpos longiflorus blooms May-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Lonicera: Symphoricarpos has symmetrical bell flowers and white berries; Lonicera has lopsided tubular flowers and dark berries.; vs Gaultheria: Symphoricarpos has opposite leaves and exactly 2 seeds per berry; Gaultheria has alternate leaves and many tiny seeds.; vs Apocynum: Symphoricarpos produces white berries; Apocynum produces paired dry seed pods and has milky sap.; vs Rosa: Symphoricarpos has opposite leaves and white berries; Rosa has alternate compound leaves and red rose hips.; vs Toxicodendron: Symphoricarpos has opposite simple leaves and white berries; Toxicodendron has alternate compound leaves and whitish drupes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Symphoricarpos longiflorus native to California?
Yes. Symphoricarpos longiflorus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphoricarpos longiflorus bloom?
Symphoricarpos longiflorus blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Symphoricarpos longiflorus grow?
Symphoricarpos longiflorus occurs in Inyo, San Bernardino, Mono, Modoc, Plumas, Lassen, at elevations of 1350-1600 m.
What plant family does Symphoricarpos longiflorus belong to?
Symphoricarpos longiflorus is in the Caprifoliaceae family, genus Symphoricarpos.
What habitat does Symphoricarpos longiflorus grow in?
Symphoricarpos longiflorus grows in Among rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphoricarpos mollis — Creeping snowberry
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius — Mountain snowberry
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii — Parish's snowberry
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius — Long flowered snowberry
- Symphoricarpos sp. — Waxberry
- Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus — Snowberry
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.