Flower profile

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

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

Native in the lower 48

Salmonberry is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.

5states where USDA records it

3Bloomipedia state lists include it

28,186U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Alaska, Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Rubus spectabilis, the salmonberry, is a species of bramble native to the west coast of North America. Its fruit is typically yellow-orange or red, resembling raspberries. The plant grows in the wild, and is not cultivated.
From Wikipedia's article Rubus spectabilis, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub / a vine 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 Washington, Oregon and Alaska. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. ^iNaturalist
In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 12 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 15,415 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #1 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 5,973 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #9 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 3,060 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #6 among the 121 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (3,408 records)

Bloom time in the 3 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Washington	Native	March–May	15,415
Oregon	Native	March–May	5,973
Alaska	Native	April–June	3,060

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
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.
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}
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: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “Fruits are edible fresh or cooked. Young shoots are eaten raw or cooked.” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets. 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 salmonberry in 5 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

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

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

Alaska counties with USDA records: Aleutians East, Aleutians West, Anchorage, Chugach, Copper River, Haines, Juneau, Kenai Peninsula, Ketchikan Gateway, Kodiak Island, Lake and Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Sitka, Southeast Fairbanks, Yakutat.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Salmonberry a medium shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 5.7 to 7.2 and winter lows down to -33 °F.

Shade tolerance: Medium
Drought tolerance: High
Moisture use: Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium, fine
Soil pH range: 5.7 to 7.2
Minimum temperature tolerated: -33 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 200
Annual precipitation range: 14 to 24 inches
Minimum root depth: 10 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Moderate
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Red · Spring to Spring
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability: Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RUSP. 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; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 66 counties across 5 states; the most are in Washington (23), Oregon (18), Alaska (15).

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

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 Washington flowers

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: February–April

Ocean spray

Holodiscus discolor

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: June–July

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile RUSP.
iNaturalist, Rubus spectabilis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Rubus spectabilis (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Rubus spectabilis (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
Photo: eebee via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.