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Symphoricarpos orbiculatus - Moench.

Common Name Coralberry
Family Caprifoliaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards No report of toxicity has been seen for this species but the fruit of many if not all members of this genus 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 destroyed 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].
Habitats Open woods, thickets and dry banks[43].
Range Eastern N. America - New Jersey and New York to Georgia and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Coralberry


Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth.
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Coralberry
USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols.Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3:

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 2 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. rubra vulgaris. S. vulgaris. Symphora glomerata. Lonicera symphoricarpos.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Scarcely eaten[177]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[200]. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Ophthalmic

A decoction of the inner bark or leaves has been used as a wash in the treatment of weak, inflamed or sore eyes[257]. A cold decoction of the root bark has been used as an eye wash to treat sore eyes[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Soil stabilization

Plants can be grown as a hedge or informal screen[200]. They are very tolerant of trimming. Plants have an extensive root system and also sucker freely, they can be used for soil stabilization[200].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerates most soils and conditions, including poor soils and amongst the roots and under the drip of trees[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a well-drained soil[200]. Does well in sun or shade[1]. Tolerates urban pollution and maritime exposure[200]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c[200]. Plants sucker freely and quickly form thickets[200]. This species does not fruit freely in Britain, except after a hot summer[11]. A good bee plant[1, 11]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months warm then 5 months cold stratification[98]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, 15 - 25cm long preferably with a heel, in a sheltered bed outdoors in winter. High percentage[78, 200]. Division of suckers in winter. They can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (east), Missouri, Nebraska (southeast), Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas), Mexico (Coahuila de Zaragoza, Nuevo León).

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Symphoricarpos albus laevigatusSnowberryShrub3.0 3-7 MLMHFSNDM123
Symphoricarpos occidentalisWolfberry, Western snowberryShrub1.8 3-7 MLMHFSNDM113

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Moench.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

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