Symphoricarpos albus
Symphoricarpos albus
The White Sinforicarp (Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake, 1914) is a shrub species belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family.
Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota Domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta Division,
Magnoliopsida class,
Order Dipsacales,
Caprifoliaceae family,
Genus Symphoricarpos,
S. albus species.
Basionimo is the term:
– Vaccinium album L., 1753.
The terms are synonymous:
– Symphoricarpos racemosus Auct.;
– Symphoricarpos rivularis Suksd.;
– Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake f. laevigatus (Fernald) G.N. Jones;
– Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake var. laevigatus (Fernald) S.F. Blake;
– Symphoricarpos racemosus Michx. var. laevigatus Fernald;
– Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake subsp. laevigatus (Fernald) Hultén;
– Symphoricarpos racemosus Michx..
Etymology –
The term Symphoricarpos comes from the Greek συν syn together, from φορέω phoréo to carry, to have and from καρπóϛ carpós fruit: which bears the fruits gathered in clusters.
The specific epithet albus comes from white albus, referring to the flowers, leaves, bark or other parts of the plant.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Symphoricarpos albus is a plant present both in North America, where it grows from Alaska to Quebec, from southern California, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and in China and today it is widespread and naturalized also in Western Europe, from the cold climate zone to the temperate climate zone.
Its habitat is that of the banks and plains in canyons and near streams, at altitudes below 1,200 meters.
Description –
Symphoricarpos albus is a deciduous shrub that can reach two meters or more in height.
It has a brownish-gray bark, paler in the young branches.
It has an erect posture and develops dense and wide ramifications, the stems are tender and arched.
The leaves are 1,5-5 cm long, rounded, bilobed at the base oval, dark green in color.
The flowers are small, green-white, collected in small clusters of 5–15 specimens.
The fruits are ovoid or subspherical drupes (berries according to Pignatti) with a diameter of 10-15 mm, of an ivory white color, glabrous, which form long persistent glomeruli at the axil of the upper leaves, with 2 ellipsoid pyrenes, compressed ventrally, smooth, of 3.5-5 x 2.5-3 mm.
Cultivation –
Symphoricarpos albus is a shrub that in nature tends to form dense formations even from undergrowth.
The plant is harvested in nature for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials, furthermore, in some areas, it is used in soil stabilization and restoration projects and is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.
This plant prefers sunny or partial shade positions; does not fear the cold. To obtain a harmonious development it is good to remember to cut the numerous suckers that grow at the base of the stem, also as suckers along the roots; in addition, the untidy appearance can be improved with a light pruning at the end of winter, which even out the twigs.
This shrub loves loose, rich and well-drained soils, preferably humid; however, it adapts to most garden plots.
It is one of the most adaptable shrub plants and to further improve its resistance it is sufficient to spread a good dose of mulch, such as humus or compost, at its feet. It also tolerates limestone and pollution well, proving to be an ideal plant for city flower beds.
Propagation can occur by seed; sowing must be carried out immediately after the ripening of the seed in an unheated seedbed. The stored seed requires 3 months of hot stratification and then 5 months of cold.
The young seedlings are then placed in single pots, where they will be grown for the first winter, and transplanted in the open field in spring or early summer.
It can be propagated agamically using mature wood cuttings, 15 – 25 cm long, to be placed in a sheltered substrate, outdoors, in winter. The percentage of engraftment is high.
Customs and Traditions –
Symphoricarpos albus is a plant that has some medicinal properties being careful as the berries, in particular, are toxic.
This plant was commonly used in medicine by several native Indian tribes of North America who appreciated it above all for the presence of saponins. They are toxic, but when applied externally they have a gentle cleansing and healing effect on the skin, killing parasites in the body and aiding in wound healing. Native Americans used it to treat a variety of ailments but mostly as an external skin wash.
The whole plant is disinfectant, diuretic, febrifuge and laxative.
Today the plant is little, if at all, used in modern herbal medicine.
However any internal use of this plant must be done with care and preferably under the supervision of a qualified professional.
In fact, the fruits contain isoquinoline, alkaloids, chelidonin, and other types of alkaloids; the white berries in particular are toxic.
Intoxication can occur by ingestion.
If swallowed, the symptoms that can be encountered are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, hallucinations, anxiety.
Among the various uses we mention the agroforestry ones.
The plants have extensive root systems and are used in some cases to stabilize soils on banks and slopes.
Among other things, its stems and twigs create dense vegetation, excellent for delimiting hedges, and it is also a plant with a great ability to revegetate even after a fire.
From an ecological point of view, it should also be remembered that the berries of Symphoricarpos albus represent a winter food for numerous animal species for which they are not toxic.
Furthermore, the flowers are very visited by bees.
Preparation Method –
The berries of this plant contain saponins and some alkaloids so even a modest amount is toxic for food.
The plant has had various uses in various parts of the world for both medicinal, cosmetic or curative purposes.
Berries, for example, have been used as a hair cleanser (due to the presence of saponins).
A delicate decoction, obtained from wood, was used as a detergent for children.
The berries were chopped and rubbed under the armpits as an antiperspirant.
An infusion, obtained from the whole plant, was drunk and also applied externally in the treatment of skin rashes.
An infusion of the stems was drunk to treat stomach problems and menstrual disorders.
A decoction was prepared from the leaves which was used in the treatment of colds.
Poultices of the chewed leaves were applied, or infusions of the leaves were used as washes in the treatment of external lesions.
A diluted solution was prepared from the stems and leaves which was used as a detergent for children while a more concentrated solution was applied to the sores.
The berries were consumed or used as an infusion, in the treatment of diarrhea while an infusion of the berries was used as an eye drop for irritated eyes.
The berries were rubbed into the skin in the treatment for burns, rashes, itches and sores or on the warts to get rid of them; this treatment was done at least three times a day for a period of several weeks.
With the crushed leaves, fruits and bark, a poultice was obtained that was used in the treatment of burns, sores, cuts, cracked and wounded skin.
An infusion was obtained from the roots which was used in the treatment of fevers (including childhood fevers), stomach aches and colds.
A decoction was obtained from the bark and roots which was used in the treatment of venereal diseases and to restore the flow of urine.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Warning: Pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; therefore no responsibility is taken for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.