Common snowball bush

Profile

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

4.5 m

Spread

4 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

35 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 3–7

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay

Soil moisture

semi-dry – very wet

pH

5.5 – 7.5

Synonyms

Schneeball

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruit (raw, cooked) (jelly, preserves) - Fruit with a diameter of up to 8.5 mm and large seed - Sour taste, best when cooked - Crushed fruits have an unpleasant odor - Used as a substitute for cranberries - Caution advised due to toxicity warnings

Medicinal: Snowball is a potent antispasmodic remedy commonly used to treat asthma, spasms, colic, and painful menstruation. It also possesses calming properties and is employed for nervous conditions. The bark of the snowball tree contains Scopoletin, a coumarin that exerts a soothing effect on the uterus. A tea made from the bark can alleviate various types of spasms such as menstrual discomfort, postpartum spasms, and impending miscarriages. Additionally, the bark is harvested and dried in autumn or spring for future use. The leaves and fruits of the snowball tree have anti-scorbutic, emetic, and laxative effects. Furthermore, a homeopathic remedy is derived from the fresh bark, which is utilized for menstrual pain and postpartum cramps.

Other uses: A red dye is extracted from the fruit. The dried berries can be used to make ink. The plants can be grown as tall hedges but tend to be bare in winter. The wood is suitable for making skewers.

Origin & habitat

Eurasia, North Africa, naturalized in North America.

In dry situations among rocks and in bushy areas, typically on calcareous soils.

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