Flower profile

Pacific ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

Native in the lower 48

Pacific ninebark is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–July.

5states

2of our state lists

6,072U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Physocarpus capitatus, commonly called Pacific ninebark or tall ninebark, is a species of Physocarpus in the rose family native to western North America.
From Wikipedia's article Physocarpus capitatus, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub 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 Oregon and Washington. ^NatureServe
In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
In Washington, 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 8 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 2,465 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #64 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,981 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #98 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist

Pacific ninebark gift ideas

Handmade pacific ninebark gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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Pacific ninebark art print
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Pacific ninebark greeting card
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Pacific ninebark mug
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Pacific ninebark earrings
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Pacific ninebark embroidery pattern
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Pacific ninebark sticker
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (465 records)

Bloom time in each of our 2 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Oregon	Native	May–July	2,465
Washington	Native	May–July	1,981

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
Oregon: Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. ^{OAR 603-073-0070}
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.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AK (S2). (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.

🌿 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 Pacific ninebark in 5 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Baker, Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wallowa, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

Washington counties with USDA records: Clallam, Clark, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman.

More Oregon flowers

Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

★ NY state flower🌷 Garden flower

🌼 Blooms in OR: May–July

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: April–July

Trailing blackberry

Rubus ursinus

Native

🌼 Blooms in OR: April–June

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile PHCA11.
iNaturalist, Physocarpus capitatus: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Physocarpus capitatus (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Physocarpus capitatus (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: giantcicada via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.