Symphoricarpos occidentalis aka Wolfberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis belongs to Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family. This shrub is deciduous: it sheds its leaves for winter. People call it wolfberry or western snowberry. Its native range starts in subarctic North America. It extends into the United States. It grows across western Canada, too. Its range covers much of the western and central United States. Wild plants grow on bluffs, dry prairies, and plains. These sites include parts of the Rocky Mountains. It grows in temperate regions and stands strong cold.

Plants grow at a fair pace to about 6 feet (1.8 metres). They send up shoots from their roots, called root suckers. Their wide root systems help hold soil on banks and slopes. Flowers bloom from June to July, and bees pollinate them. Each flower has both male and female organs. The fruit is about 0.03 feet (0.008 metres) across. Seeds ripen from September through November. The shrub draws wildlife as well.

This shrub grows in many garden soils and sites. Sand, loam, and heavy clay suit it, even poor soil. It likes good drainage but accepts dry or moist ground. It grows in soils that are mildly acid or mildly alkaline. Neutral soil suits it, too. It grows in sun or shade, even among tree roots. Garden sites include woodland edges and spots with patchy shade. It stands city pollution and exposure near the sea. PFAF lists USDA zones 3–7 and cold tolerance near −40°C.

Its roots help hold soil where slopes need support. It suits hedges and takes trimming well. People have made brooms from its branches. PFAF warns it may become a weed, so watch its spread. Grow it from seed, cuttings, or suckers split from the plant. For best results, sow fresh, ripe seed in a cold frame. Stored seed needs warm and cold treatment before it sprouts. Take half-ripe cuttings in July or August. In winter, use mature wood or split off suckers.

PFAF notes past use of the fruit as a low-value food in times of need. It calls the taste bland and favors cooked over raw fruit. It raises concerns about possible saponins. Yet it reports no confirmed toxicity for this species. This doubt does not mean the fruit is safe to eat. Past uses include leaf washes for sore eyes. People also used root preparations after childbirth. These records show past use, not proven health benefits.