Wayne's Word Index Noteworthy Plants Trivia Lemnaceae Biology 101 Botany Search     Anza-Borrego      Iron Mountain       SD Mountains      San Marcos      Fire Areas      Sunflowers      Vernal Pools      Top Flowers      Checklists      Terminology      Bot Unknowns      Anza-Borrego      Sage Flowers      Wildflowers 1      Wildflowers 2      Wildflowers 3      Wildflowers 4      Wildflowers 5      Wildflowers 6      Wildflowers 7      Terminology  California Wildflowers #7b (Riverside & San Diego Counties)   Symphoricarpos mollis in Escondido Creek Symphoricarpos mollis is a low, sprawling shrub up to 6 dm (2 ft) tall. It is typically lower than one's knees. This species is often described as trailing or creeping. In fact, the common name is "creeping snowberry" or "trip vine." The latter name applies to people who carelessly walk through a patch of this shrub. It occurs in shady, cismontane areas of northern San Diego County and northern Baja California, and is often associated with poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus is an erect shrub up to a meter or more in height. It typically grows as tall as one's waist or chest. This species is common in shady areas of the mountains of San Diego County. Symphoricarpos mollis has soft pubescent leaves, especially noticeable on the paler underside. The leaves are more pubescent than in the mountain species Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus. The flower of S. mollis has 5 nectary glands, compared with a single swollen gland for S. albus var. laevigatus. Magnified view of the underside of leaves. A. Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus from the San Diego River near Inaja Memorial Park. B. Symphoricarpos mollis from Escondido Creek. The leaves of S. mollis are clearly more pubescent. Return To WAYNE'S WORD Home Page Return To NOTEWORTHY PLANTS Page Go To Biology GEE WHIZ TRIVIA Page Go To The LEMNACEAE ON-LINE Page All text material & images on these pages copyright © W.P. Armstrong