Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake var. laevigatus (Fernald) S.F. Blake (syn.: S. rivularis Suksd.) (N-Am.) – A widely naturalised escape from or relic of cultivation. Known as such already in 1855 in the surroundings of Brussel (Verloove 2002). Usually found in or near old parks and estates, cemeteries, hedges or woodlands. Sometimes also seen in semi-natural habitats (rocks, seadunes, riverbanks,…) or in man-made habitats (disused railway yards, urban waste land). Symphoricarpos albus is probably dispersed by birds but reproduction is primarily clonal. Most populations are in fact old, abandoned plantations.
The ecological preferences of Symphoricarpos albus are insufficiently known. It usually grows in rather shady, dry or slightly humid soils (perhaps preferably on calcareous soils).
The usual taxon in cultivation (and in the wild in western Europe) is the glabrous var. laevigatus. Var. albus (syn.: S. racemosus Michaux) is finely pubescent throughout and very rare in cultivation. It should be looked for as an escape.
Selected literature
Adolphi K. (1995) Neophytische Kultur- und Anbaupflanzen als Kulturflüchtlinge des Rheinlandes. Nardus 2: 272 p.
Duvigneaud J. (1990) Quelques observations floristiques effectuées à proximité du château de Houx (Yvoir, province de Namur, Belgique). Nat. Mosana 43(1): 10-14.
Gilbert O.L. (1995) Symphoricarpos albus (L.) S.F. Blake (S. rivularis Suksd., S. racemosus Michaux.). J. Ecol. 83: 159-166.
Schmid M. (2005) Untersuchung zur neophytischen Gehölzflora im Stuttgarter Stadtgebiet. Jh. Ges. Naturkde. Württemberg 161: 178-257.
Verloove F. (2002) Ingeburgerde plantensoorten in Vlaanderen. Mededeling van het Instituut voor Natuurbehoud n° 20: 227 p.
Verloove F. (2006) Symphoricarpos albus. In: Van Landuyt W., Hoste I., Vanhecke L., Van den Bremt P., Vercruysse W. & De Beer D., Atlas van de flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, Nationale Plantentuin van België en Flo.Wer: 864-865.