Mountain snowberry

Symphoricarpos oreophilus

Deciduous montane shrub up to 5 ft. tall with round white berries from small clusters of pinkish flowers, blooming May to September. Common, adapted to well-drained soils on dry to moist ridges, rocky slopes, forest openings, woodland, shrubland and riparian communities; 3,000 to 11,000 ft. elevation. Less rhizomatous growth than Common snowberry (S. albus); sprouts weakly from the root crown after disturbance such as wildfire. Browsed by livestock and is important forage for deer and elk, especially in early spring. Important cover and food for small mammals and birds, including ruffed grouse. Pollinators include numerous hummingbirds, native insects and honeybees. Larval host for the Chalcedon checkerspot butterfly.