Bloomipedia
Squashberry (Viburnum edule)
Photo: mfeaver via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Squashberry

Viburnum edule

Native to Alaska

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

17states
3,126AK sightings*
3,685U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Alaska

Quick look

Viburnum edule, the squashberry, mooseberry, moosomin, moosewood viburnum, pembina, pimina, highbush cranberry, or lowbush cranberry is a species of shrub. It grows up to 2.5 metres (8 ft) tall and has smooth branches.

  • It belongs to the Viburnaceae 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 17 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 2 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 3,126 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #5 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. iNaturalist

Squashberry gift ideas

Handmade squashberry gifts from independent makers.

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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”) (67 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: MI (S2), NH (S1), NY (S2), VT (S1), WI (S1), WY (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 peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. USDA PLANTS

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list. For context only: ASPCA lists a related species, Viburnum lentago (“Black Haw”), 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 squashberry in 17 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Aleutians East, Anchorage, Bethel, Bristol Bay, 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, Southeast Fairbanks, Yakutat, Yukon-Koyukuk.

More Alaska flowers

Red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa)

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Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)

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Common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum)

Common cowparsnip

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Sources