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Wildlife, Animals, and Plants
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Introductory
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
ABBREVIATION :
SYMLON
SYNONYMS :
none
SCS PLANT CODE :
SYLO
COMMON NAMES :
longflower snowberry
desert snowberry
TAXONOMY :
The fully documented scientific name of longflower snowberry is
Symphoricarpos longiflorus Gray. There are no recognized varieties or
forms.
LIFE FORM :
Shrub
FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS :
No special status
OTHER STATUS :
NO-ENTRY
COMPILED BY AND DATE :
Nancy E. McMurray/August 1986
LAST REVISED BY AND DATE :
Nancy E. McMurray/December 1986
AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION :
McMurray, Nancy E. 1986. Symphoricarpos longiflorus. In: Remainder of Citation
DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION :
Longflower snowberry occurs throughout Nevada and adjacent southeastern
Oregon, south to southern California and northern Baja, and eastward to
eastern Utah, northwestern Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas. In
Utah, this species is found primarily south of the 40th parallel, except
along the Green River where it extends north into Daggett County; in
Nevada it is found everywhere except the northeast corner [4].
ECOSYSTEMS :
FRES29 Sagebrush
FRES34 Chaparral - mountain shrub
FRES35 Pinyon - juniper
STATES :
AZ CA CO ID NV NM OR TX UT WY
ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS :
ARCH CANY CARE CACA DEVA DINO
GLCA GRCA GUMO LAME NABR ZION
BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS :
5 Columbia Plateau
6 Upper Basin and Range
7 Lower Basin and Range
10 Wyoming Basin
12 Colorado Plateau
13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont
KUCHLER PLANT ASSOCIATIONS :
K023 Juniper - pinyon woodland
K037 Mountain-mahogany - oak scrub
K038 Great Basin sagebrush
K055 Sagebrush steppe
SAF COVER TYPES :
220 Rocky Mountain juniper
237 Interior ponderosa pine
238 Western juniper
239 Pinyon - juniper
SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES :
NO-ENTRY
HABITAT TYPES AND PLANT COMMUNITIES :
Habitat types and community types using longflower snowberry as a climax
indicator are limited. The following community types have been
described for the northern desert shrub and pinyon-juniper zones in
central Nevada [2,3]: (1) big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)/
serviceberry (Amelanchier pallida)/longflower snowberry; (2) big
sagebrush/longflower snowberry/bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria
spicata); (3) singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla)/curlleaf
mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius)/longflower snowberry/
arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata); (3) longflower snowberry/
big sagebrush/cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)/woolly wyethia (Wyethia
mollis); (4) longflower snowberry/big sagebrush/serviceberry/ Idaho
fescue (Festuca idahoensis); (5) longflower snowberry/Great Basin
wildrye (Leymus cinereus).
VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE :
NO-ENTRY
IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE :
Longflower snowberry is an important forage species on the xeric sites
it occupies and is utilized by both big game and livestock. Over much
of its range, it is often the first browse species to leaf out. Plants
are easily accessible due to their low growth form and are moderately
tolerant to grazing pressure [15,20]. The seeds are eaten by a number
of species of birds, especially grouse, pheasant, and quail. The Rocky
Mountain pika and various ground squirrels and chipmunks also eat the
seeds [21].
PALATABILITY :
Palatability of longflower snowberry is highest in the early spring and
declines throughout the summer and fall. This species is usually more
palatable in the Intermountain region than on more southern or western
ranges [20]. Palatability of longflower snowberry to livestock and
wildlife species in Utah has been rated as follows [5]:
.NS
Cattle Fair
Sheep Good
Horses Fair
Elk Fair
Mule deer Good
Small mammals Good
Small nongame birds Good
Upland game birds Fair
Waterfowl Poor
NUTRITIONAL VALUE :
Longflower snowberry has been rated as fair in both energy and protein
value [5].
COVER VALUE :
The degree to which longflower snowberry provides environmental
protection during one or more seasons for wildlife species in Utah is as
follows [5]:
Elk Poor
Mule deer Poor
Small mammals Good
Small nongame birds Fair
Upland game birds Fair
Waterfowl Poor
VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES :
Longflower snowberry is a very useful shrub for establishing cover on
raw and severe sites. It grows well in areas where few other species
are adapted, but it does not have a wide range of adaptability [13,15].
Once established longflower snowberry is very persistent. Sites can be
revegetated using wildlings or transplants. Transplants are easily
obtained by pulling up small rooted portions of plants in the early
spring before leaf growth has begun. Propagation via stem cuttings has
also been successful [7]. Direct seeding is generally recommended in
the fall or winter in the following types: big sagebrush, blackbrush,
pinyon-juniper, and aspen. Commercial seed may be dried or cleaned.
Seeds have a pronounced domancy; acid treatments break down the seed
coat. Stratification should be employed for spring planting [15].
OTHER USES AND VALUES :
Snowberries are highly regarded for the beauty of their foliage and
fruits; many species are widely grown as ornamentals [20].
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS :
NO-ENTRY
BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
Longflower snowberry is a low, spreading, deciduous shrub with somewhat
drooping branchlets [21]. Heights range from 3.3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m).
Persistent, smaller branches tend to give plants a thorny appearance
[4]. This species exhibits wide ecotypic variation in leaf and twig
pubescence [9]. Longflower snowberry is monoecious.
RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM :
Phanerophyte
REGENERATION PROCESSES :
Information concerning regenerative processes in longflower snowberry is
scant. Morphologically similar mountain snowberry regenerates via
rhizomes, basal sprouts, stolons, and seed [17,18]. Although many
members of the Symphoricarpos genus are highly rhizomatous, the extent
to which this habit is developed in longflower snowberry is unclear.
The general pattern for seed production in the Symphoricarpos genus has
been described by Pelton [14] for western snowberry (S. occidentalis)
and apparently also applies to longflower snowberry [15]. Fruits are
white, berrylike drupes containing two, seedlike nutlets which ripen in
the fall. Since no abscision layer is formed on the pedicle, fruits can
persist on shrubs for up to two seasons before falling to the ground.
Nutlets have a double dormancy which delays germination and
establishment [6]. Seed coat restrictions are eliminated through
storage in warm, moist soil; afterripening and development of the embryo
occur during one or two winters in the soil. Seeds do not remain viable
for extended periods in nature. Birds or mammals are probably the main
dispersal agents; field mice scatter seeds, and plants are widely
distributed from their caches. Germination begins in the early spring
as soon as the soil thaws. First-year seedlings are quite sensitive to
drought.
SITE CHARACTERISTICS :
Longflower snowberry typically occurs on open, rocky slopes and washes
at elevations ranging between 4,500 and 7,500 feet (1,372 and 2,287 m).
It occurs on sites more xeric than those occupied by mountain snowberry
[17]. Longflower snowberry is usually a component of pinyon-juniper
communities [15] but extends down into the sagebrush-grassland and cold
desert on sites receiving 8 to 9 inches (20-23 cm) minimum annual
precipitation. In the mountain brush and ponderosa pine zones, the
ranges of longflower snowberry and mountain snowberry sometimes overlap
[4].
Elevational ranges for some western states are listed below [4].
From 5,000 to 5,000 feet (1,524-1,524 m) in CO
5,000 to 7,400 feet (1,524-2,256 m) in UT
SUCCESSIONAL STATUS :
Longflower snowberry is present in nonforested and forested climax
communities throughout its range. Self-perpetuating stands are
indicative of climax conditions [3].
SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT :
Flowering generally occurs from May through July [5].
FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS :
Information concerning the fire ecology of longflower snowberry is
scant; however, resprouting has been documented following burning in
Nevada [10]. As a genus, snowberries are moderately resistent to fire
mortality. Most species resprout via basal buds or rhizomes [19,23,24].
Although plant response is variable, postfire recovery rates are
moderately rapid on most sites.
POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY :
Small shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
Rhizomatous shrub, rhizome in soil
Secondary colonizer - off-site seed
FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT :
Fire usually completely top-kills longflower snowberry. It is probably
moderately resistant to fire mortality due to perennating buds located
on root crowns and rhizomes. Survival may be highly variable, however,
and appears to be significantly influenced by fire intensity and
severity [18.25].
DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT :
NO-ENTRY
PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE :
Fire response of longflower snowberry has not been well documented.
Following a spring burn in a sagebrush-grassland community in Nevada,
all reexamined plants sprouted; however, sprout origin and vigor were
not discussed [10]. (For fire response information on a morphologically
similar species, see the FEIS write-up on mountain snowberry).
DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE :
NO-ENTRY
FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS :
NO-ENTRY
REFERENCES
SPECIES: Symphoricarpos longiflorus | Longflower Snowberry
REFERENCES :
1. Bernard, Stephen R.; Brown, Kenneth F. 1977. Distribution of mammals,
reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's
associations for the eleven western states. Tech. Note 301. Denver, CO:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 169 p.
[434]
2. Blackburn, Wilbert H.; Eckert, Richard E., Jr.; Tueller, Paul T. 1969.
Vegetation and soils of the Coils Creek Watershed. R-48. Reno, NV:
University of Nevada, Agricultural Experiment Station. 80 p. In
cooperation with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management. [455]
3. Blackburn, Wilbert H.; Eckert, Richard E., Jr.; Tueller, Paul T. 1971.
Vegetation and soils of the Rock Springs Watershed. R-83. Reno, NV:
University of Nevada, Agricultural Experiment Station. 116 p. In
cooperation with: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land
Management. [457]
4. Cronquist, Arthur; Holmgren, Arthur H.; Holmgren, Noel H.; [and others].
1984. Intermountain flora: Vascular plants of the Intermountain West,
U.S.A. Vol. 4. Subclass Asteridae, (except Asteraceae). New York: The
New York Botanical Garden. 573 p. [718]
5. Dittberner, Phillip L.; Olson, Michael R. 1983. The plant information
network (PIN) data base: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and
Wyoming. FWS/OBS-83/86. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior,
Fish and Wildlife Service. 786 p. [806]
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450. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service:
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Propagation of Nevada shrubs by stem cutting. Journal of Range
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8. Goodrich, Sherel. 1986. Vascular plants of the Desert Experimental
Range, Millard County, Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-209. Ogden, UT: U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research
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9. Jones, George Neville. 1940. A monograph of the genus Symphoricarpos.
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10. Klebenow, Donald A.; Beall, Robert C. 1977. Fire impacts on birds and
mammals on Great Basin rangelands. In: [Source unknown]. Reno, NV:
University of Nevada, Division of Renewable Natural Resources: 59-62. On
file with: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain
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11. Kuchler, A. W. 1964. Manual to accompany the map of potential vegetation
of the conterminous United States. Special Publication No. 36. New York:
American Geographical Society. 77 p. [1384]
12. Lyon, L. Jack; Stickney, Peter F. 1976. Early vegetal succession
following large northern Rocky Mountain wildfires. In: Proceedings, Tall
Timbers fire ecology conference and Intermountain Fire Research Council
fire and land management symposium; 1974 October 8-10; Missoula, MT. No.
14. Tallahassee, FL: Tall Timbers Research Station: 355-373. [1496]
13. Monsen, Stephen B.; Christensen, Donald R. 1975. Woody plants for
rehabilitating rangelands in the Intermountain Region. In: Stutz, Howard
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[1680]
14. Pelton, John. 1953. Studies on the life-history of Symphoricarpos
occidentalis Hook, in Minnesota. Ecological Monographs. 23(1): 17-39.
[11957]
15. Plummer, A. Perry; Christensen, Donald R.; Monsen, Stephen B. 1968.
Restoring big-game range in Utah. Publ. No. 68-3. Ephraim, UT: Utah
Division of Fish and Game. 183 p. [4554]
16. Raunkiaer, C. 1934. The life forms of plants and statistical plant
geography. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 632 p. [2843]
17. Stanton, Frank. 1974. Wildlife guidelines for range fire rehabilitation.
Tech. Note 6712. Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of
Land Management. 90 p. [2221]
18. Stickney, Peter F. 1980. Data base for post-fire succession, first 6 to
9 years, in Montana larch-fir forests. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-62. Ogden,
UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest
and Range Experiment Station. 133 p. [6583]
19. Tisdale, E. W.; Hironaka, M. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: a review
of the ecological literature. Bull. 33. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho,
Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station. 31 p. [2344]
20. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 1937. Range plant
handbook. Washington, DC. 532 p. [2387]
21. Vines, Robert A. 1960. Trees, shrubs, and woody vines of the Southwest.
Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. 1104 p. [7707]
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Utah. Utah Academy Proceedings. 42(II): 203-213. [13497]
23. Wright, Henry A.; Neuenschwander, Leon F.; Britton, Carlton M. 1979. The
role and use of fire in sagebrush-grass and pinyon-juniper plant
communities: A state-of-the-art review. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-58. Ogden,
UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest
and Range Experiment Statio. 48 p. [2625]
24. Young, Richard P. 1983. Fire as a vegetation management tool in
rangelands of the Intermountain Region. In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Shaw,
Nancy, compilers. Managing Intermountain rangelands--improvement of
range and wildlife habitats: Proceedings; 1981 September 15-17; Twin
Falls, ID; 1982 June 22-24; Elko, NV. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-157. Ogden,
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25. Zschaechner, Greg A. 1985. Studying rangeland fire effects: a case study
in Nevada. In: Sanders, Ken; Durham, Jack, eds. Rangeland fire effects:
Proceedings of the symposium; 1984 November 27-29; Boise, ID. Boise, ID:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Managment, Idaho State
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Index
Related categories for Species: Symphoricarpos longiflorus
| Longflower Snowberry
|
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