Flower profile

Cloudberry

Rubus chamaemorus

Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) is a low shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly May–July across the U.S.

Native to Alaska

Cloudberry is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Alaska it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.

5states where USDA records it

1,233AK sightings*

1,529U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Alaska

Quick look

Rubus chamaemorus is a species of flowering plant in the genus Rubus. It has numerous common names varying by region, such as cloudberry, Nordic berry, Arctic berry, bakeapple, knotberry, aqpik, and lowbush salmonberry.
From Wikipedia's article Rubus chamaemorus, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Alaska. ^NatureServe
In Alaska, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 1 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 1,233 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #34 among the 121 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Alaska, most flowering sightings come in May–July.

Flowering records by month in Alaska (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (238 records)

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
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.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: MN (S2), NH (S2), NY (SX). (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?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. For context only: ASPCA lists a related species, Rubus pedatus (“Creeping Rubus”), as non-toxic to dogs and cats. That doesn't tell us about this species, so keep pets away to be safe. ^ASPCA

🌿 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 cloudberry in 5 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Aleutians East, Aleutians West, Anchorage, Bethel, Chugach, Copper River, Denali, Dillingham, Fairbanks North Star, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Lake and Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Nome, North Slope, Northwest Arctic, Sitka, Southeast Fairbanks, Yukon-Koyukuk.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Cloudberry a medium shade tolerance, none drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 4.0 to 5.2 and winter lows down to -38 °F.

Shade tolerance: Medium
Drought tolerance: None
Moisture use: High
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium, fine
Soil pH range: 4.0 to 5.2
Minimum temperature tolerated: -38 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 90
Annual precipitation range: 35 to 55 inches
Minimum root depth: 12 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Medium
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Short
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Red · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by: bare root, seed, sprigs
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RUCH. 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.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 30 counties across 5 states; the most are in Alaska (22), Maine (4), Minnesota (2).

Other Rubus on Bloomipedia (14): Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry, Salmonberry, Southern dewberry, Purple-flowered raspberry, Armenian blackberry, Swamp dewberry, Rocky Mountain raspberry.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Mock strawberry, Black cherry, Toyon, Chokecherry, White meadowsweet, Ocean spray.

More Alaska flowers

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: April–June

Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

★ NY state flower🌷 Garden flower

🌼 Blooms in AK: June–July

Prickly wild rose

Rosa acicularis

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: June–July

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile RUCH.
iNaturalist, Rubus chamaemorus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Rubus chamaemorus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Rubus chamaemorus (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: Cheryl McCleary-Catalano via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.