Flower profile
Bearberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a shrub in the Ericaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.
Bearberry is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 8 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming
Quick look
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos widely distributed across circumboreal regions of the subarctic Northern Hemisphere. Kinnikinnick is a common name in Canada and the United States. Growing up to 30 centimetres in height, the leaves are evergreen. The flowers are white to pink and the fruit is a red berry.
- It belongs to the Ericaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 34 states. USDA PLANTS
- In Colorado, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
- In Michigan, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 0.5 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 3,889 research-grade sightings of it in Colorado, ranking #29 among the 160 flowers on our Colorado list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 2,433 research-grade sightings of it in Michigan, ranking #68 among the 172 flowers on our Michigan list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 2,196 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #86 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in the 8 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Native | May–June | 3,889 |
| Michigan | Native | May–June | 2,433 |
| Washington | Native | April–June | 2,196 |
| Massachusetts | Native | April–May | 1,990 |
| Montana | Native | May–June | 1,321 |
| Alaska | Native | May–June | 596 |
| Wyoming | Native | May–June | 432 |
| South Dakota | Native | few records (46) | 311 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Colorado
- No list Colorado has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Colorado ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Colorado.
- Michigan
- Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Michigan. R 299.1028
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Massachusetts
- Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Massachusetts. MESA list
- Montana
- No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S5, secure in Montana.
- Alaska
- No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
- Wyoming
- No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
- South Dakota
- No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in South Dakota.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: DE (SX), IA (S1), IL (S1), MD (S1), NE (S1), OH (SH), PA (S1), VA (S1), WV (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension notes: “The berries are edible.” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records bearberry in 34 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Colorado counties with USDA records: Alamosa, Baca, Boulder, Chaffee, Clear Creek, Conejos, Custer, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Gunnison, Huerfano, Jackson, Lake, Larimer, Mesa, Mineral, Montezuma, Park, Pitkin, Rio Grande, Routt, San Juan, San Miguel, Summit, Teller.
Michigan counties with USDA records: Alcona, Alger, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Baraga, Benzie, Berrien, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Clare, Crawford, Delta, Dickinson, Emmet, Gladwin, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Huron, Iosco, Iron, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Keweenaw, Lake, Leelanau, Luce, Mackinac, Manistee, Marquette, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ontonagon, Oscoda, Otsego, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Schoolcraft, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren.
Washington counties with USDA records: Adams, Chelan, Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Franklin, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.
Growing conditions
USDA PLANTS gives Bearberry a medium shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.5 to 8.0 and winter lows down to -33 °F.
- Shade tolerance
- Medium
- Drought tolerance
- High
- Moisture use
- Low
- Soil textures it is adapted to
- coarse, medium
- Soil pH range
- 5.5 to 8.0
- Minimum temperature tolerated
- -33 °F
- Frost-free days needed (minimum)
- 140
- Annual precipitation range
- 14 to 45 inches
- Minimum root depth
- 10 inches
- Salinity tolerance
- Medium
- Fertility requirement
- Low
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Long
- Active growth period
- Spring and Summer
- Fruit or seed
- Red · Summer to Fall
- Can be propagated by
- bare root, container, cuttings
- Commercial availability
- Routinely Available
From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for ARUV. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Alaska: Native; Canada: Native; Greenland: Native; Lower 48 states: Native; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Native.
Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Arctostaphylos adenotricha, Uva-ursi uva-ursi.
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 444 counties across 32 states; the most are in Michigan (52), Wisconsin (40), Montana (36).
Other Arctostaphylos on Bloomipedia (1): Common manzanita.
More from the Ericaceae family (55 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Ghost pipe, Rhododendrons and azaleas, Striped wintergreen, Mountain laurel, Eastern teaberry (wintergreen), Salal, Woodland pinedrops, Pinesap.
More Colorado flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile ARUV.
- iNaturalist, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- State rare and invasive plant lists (10):
Show all 10 state lists
- Colorado: Colorado noxious weed lists A, B and C (8 CCR 1206-2, eff. May 15, 2025).
- Michigan: Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023).
- Michigan: Michigan prohibited and restricted species (NREPA Part 413 and the 2026 Invasive Species Order), as listed by Michigan's Invasive Species Program.
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90).
- Massachusetts: Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List (MDAR) (Text from MDAR's 2023 scientific-name PDF (mass.gov blocks automated downloads); 2024-2026 additions listed on the mass.gov page: Alnus glutinosa, Pyrus calleryana, Miscanthus sinensis, Aralia elata, Rhodotypos scandens, Symplocos paniculata.).
- Montana: Montana noxious weed list (Admin. R. Mont. 4.5.206–4.5.210).
- Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
- Wyoming: Wyoming state designated noxious weeds (W.S. 11-5-102(a)(xi)), as listed by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council.
- South Dakota: South Dakota statewide noxious weeds (ARSD 12:62:03:01.06).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Charlie O'Brien via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized.