coralberry

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Scientific Name

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Other Common Names:

Indian currant

buckbrush

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Symphoricarpos symphoricarpos

Habit

Densely branched shrub that is up to 2 m tall but usually 1 m or less.

Leaves

Opposite, elliptic to oval in shape and 1.5 to 4.5 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide, pubescent on the underside and have an entire margin.

Identifying Characteristics

The stems of this plant are pubescent and often a purplish color. The berries are very noticeable and easily seen. This shrub had underground rhizomes and can slowly spread.

Flower Seed Head

Flowers occur on a spike that arises from the leaf axils and many will occur on a single spike. Flowers are relatively inconspicuous compared to the berries but are white to greenish and 3 to 4 mm wide.

Seed Fruit

Very noticeable berries that are red to purple and 5 to 8 mm in diameter. The berries will persist on the plant for most of the winter. Each berry contains 2 seeds that are smooth, white, and oval in shape 3 to 3.5 mm long.

Where Found

Wooded areas, fields, pastures

Growth Habit

woody bush or tree

Thorns or Spines

not present

Approximate Flower Diameter

pencil

Dominant Flower Color

Varies:

white,

green

Flower Symmetry

radial symmetery

Leaf Hairs

has hairs

Leaf Shape

oval

Leaf Arrangement

opposite

Leaf Margin

entire

Leaf Structure

simple

Leaf Stalk

Varies:

none,

shorter than leaf

Stem Hairs

has hairs

Stem Cross Section

round or oval

Milky Sap

not present

Root Structure

Varies:

fibrous,

taproot

Life Cycle

perennial

Ochrea

not present

Plant Type

Shrub