Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius
Long flowered snowberry
(c) Rachel Stringham, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rachel Stringham · licence
Family: Caprifoliaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius (Long flowered snowberry) is a native California shrub in the Caprifoliaceae family, recognized by erect habit with non-arched branches and fine pubescence.
Long flowered snowberry is a California native shrub found in the northern Sierra Nevada, Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin regions on rocky or sandy slopes and in open conifer forests at elevations of 1,200 to 3,200 meters. Flowering from June to August, this plant produces white flowers with a corolla 7 to 10 millimeters long, featuring a distinctive hairy tube in its middle third. Growing 0.6 to 1.2 meters tall with fine-puberulent twigs and an upright habit, the shrub develops branches that remain relatively straight. Its rounded leaves create a delicate texture across the plant's structure, complementing its slender branching pattern. The shrub forms an elegant, somewhat erect silhouette that blends seamlessly into its coniferous forest and rocky slope habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; distinguished by erect habit with non-arched branches and fine pubescence
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky or sandy slopes, open places in conifer forest
Elevation: 1200-3200 m
California counties: Nevada, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Inyo, Alpine, Tehama, Placer, El Dorado, Calaveras, Amador, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, Siskiyou, Sierra, Kern, Tuolumne, Fresno, Mariposa, Madera
Outside California: to Washington, Wyoming, Colorado, western Texas
Bloom period
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius 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. rotundifolius native to California?
Yes. Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius bloom?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius blooms Jun-Aug.
Where in California does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius grow?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius occurs in Nevada, Mono, Plumas, Tulare, Inyo, Alpine, Tehama, Placer and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3200 m.
What plant family does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius belong to?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius is in the Caprifoliaceae family, genus Symphoricarpos.
What habitat does Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius grow in?
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. rotundifolius grows in Rocky or sandy slopes, open places in conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Symphoricarpos sp. — Waxberry
- Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus — Snowberry
- Symphoricarpos longiflorus — Fragrant snowberry
- Symphoricarpos mollis — Creeping snowberry
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius — Mountain snowberry
- Symphoricarpos rotundifolius var. parishii — Parish's snowberry
- Caprifoliaceae sp. — Honeysuckle family
- Lonicera cauriana — Blue fly honeysuckle
- Lonicera ciliosa — Orange 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.