Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii
Parish's snowberry
(c) Rachel Stringham, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rachel Stringham · licence
Family: Caprifoliaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii (Parish's snowberry) is a native California shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, recognized by trailing habit with tip-rooting branches.
Parish's snowberry is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, southwestern California, southern Sierra Nevada eastern slopes, and Desert Mountains on slopes and ridges at elevations of 1,100 to 3,300 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers approximately 6 to 9 millimeters long with sparse internal hairs. Growing as a trailing shrub with arched branches 3 to 6 decimeters long, its branch tips can root in the surrounding terrain. Its twigs are generally straight-hairy, creating a delicate textural appearance across rocky mountain landscapes. The shrub's branches often form graceful arcs, allowing it to spread and establish across its rugged mountain habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by trailing habit with tip-rooting branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, ridges
Elevation: 1100-3300 m
California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Tulare, Riverside, Inyo, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Orange, Plumas, Mono, Trinity, Madera, Tuolumne, Amador, Alpine
Outside California: New Mexico
Bloom period
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii blooms Jun-Aug.
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 rotundifolius var. parishii native to California?
Yes. Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii bloom?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii grow?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii occurs in Kern, Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Tulare, Riverside, Inyo, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of 1100-3300 m.
What plant family does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii belong to?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii is in the Caprifoliaceae family, genus Symphoricarpos.
What habitat does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii grow in?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii grows in Slopes, ridges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius — Long flowered snowberry
- Symphoricarpos sp. — Waxberry
- Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus — Snowberry
- Symphoricarpos longiflorus — Fragrant snowberry
- Symphoricarpos mollis — Creeping snowberry
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius — Mountain snowberry
- Caprifoliaceae sp. — Honeysuckle family
- Lonicera cauriana — Blue fly honeysuckle
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.