When I was a kid, snowberries, (Symphoricarpos albus) grew wild all over our heavily-wooded property, along with other BC natives like ferns, Mahonia nervosa (Oregon grape) and Rubus spectabilis (salmonberries). I called snowberries “pop berries” because they made a delicious popping noise when you crushed them underfoot. I think my fascination with them terrified my mother because I remember being repeatedly admonished: “careful, they’re poisonous!”
Today, just seeing the branches heavy with berries, lighting up their corner of the yard, I was thankful. For the dose of pure beauty before my day got underway, and for the memories of a simpler time.
out of doors says
erm, actually I believe the berries are edible. they just taste bad.
out of doors says
from the plants for a future database
“The fruit contains saponins. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins but it would take extremely large doses of many kilos of fruit from this plant in order to produce toxic symptoms[65]. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].”
I only know this because I’m studying ethnobotany…it’s really fascinating how many of our native plants were used. I’ve eaten snowberries, and true to form they taste like soap, but I’m still around…not trying to encourage anyone to eat them, just maybe allaying a parent’s fears
Andrea Bellamy says
Eleanor – that’s fascinating! Thanks for that. It’s amazing how much misinformation is out there. I’ll be less paranoid about letting Lila play around them now :)
Meg says
I know this is a very old post, but I had to comment. I have only ever seen one of these bushes in my life, on the edge of my childhood neighbor’s front lawn. I would always pick the biggest berries and toss them on the sidewalk to pop under my feet. I never knew how to look them up before the internet, but looked forward to them on my walk home from school.
I got married in Baltimore this past September, and to my complete surprise they were included in my bridesmaid bouquets! I was pretty thrilled about that. I just now thought to look them up and find out the proper name. I’m so glad someone else did the same exact thing!
Susie says
Reply to comment #5: Such a cute story!