Hobbies And Interests
Identifying Snowberry
Snowberry has rounded leaves of about 1.5 to 5 cm long. It also has small flowers that are greenish-white to pink in color, and are usually found in clusters of five to 15, although there are a few species where the flowers appear alone or in pairs. The berries are pea-sized and soft and of various colors, including white, pink and red, depending on the species. These shrubs were given the name "snowberry" because when the white berries are broken open, the fruit inside resembles snow.
Birds That Eat Snowberry
Snowberry is most important as a source of food to several species of bird, particularly during the winter. In particular, various species of quail, pheasant, grouse, finch and partridge rely on snowberry for sustenance. However, it is likely that snowberry does not have the most appealing flavor, even for birds, as it is one of the last food sources they consume even in the harsh winter months. The shrub is also used by some birds, such as the gadwall, as a shelter in the winter or nesting area in the spring.
Mammals That Eat Snowberry
From the fall to the spring, the leaves and berries of snowberry shrubs are also occasionally eaten by deer, elk and bears. Domestic animals such as sheep and cattle have also been known to graze on the shrub. Although snowberry is not usually a primary food source for these animals, it is can be an important addition to their diet during times of year when vegetation is sparse.
Insects That Eat Snowberry
The leaves of the snowberry also provide food for a number of insects, namely several species of butterfly and moth. Butterfly species that eat snowberry leaves include Lorquin's admiral butterfly and the Chalcedon checkerspot butterfly. Moth species that eat snowberry leaves include the western sheep moth and the snowberry sphinx moth. The snowberry clearwing or bumblebee moth is even named after the plant, due to its tendency to lay its eggs on snowberry leaves.