Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Gitxsan name: sgangisgits'
Wet'suwet'en name: cit'sit mï'
Botanical Description
- erect branching shrub, 0.5-1.5 metres tall, very fine twigs
- elliptic to oval leaves with wavy-toothed or smooth margins
- pink to white bell-shaped flowers
- white "berries" with two seeds, considered poisonous by many
- found in dry habitats, some moist sites such as well-drained floodplains
- low elevations
Photo courtesy of Jim Pojar (55kB)
Ethnobotanical Use
The berries, which are considered to be poisonous or toxic, are referred
to by some natives as corpse or ghost berries. The Gitxsan hollowed out the
twigs in order to make the stems for pipes.
This digital collection was produced under contract to the SchoolNet
Digital Collection Program, Industry Canada.
Revised: 08/21/98
