coralberry
Family
CaprifoliaceaeScientific Name
Symphoricarpos orbiculatusOther Common Names:
buckbrush
Indian currant
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