Flower profile

Squashberry

Viburnum edule

Squashberry (Viburnum edule) is a shrub in the Viburnaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–July across the U.S.

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 where USDA records it

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.
From Wikipedia's article Viburnum edule, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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 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”) (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.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

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.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Squashberry a low shade tolerance and low drought tolerance. It is rated for soil pH 5.0 to 7.3 and winter lows down to -62 °F.

Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Low
Soil textures it is adapted to: coarse, medium, fine
Soil pH range: 5.0 to 7.3
Minimum temperature tolerated: -62 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 120
Annual precipitation range: 8 to 180 inches
Minimum root depth: 12 inches
Salinity tolerance: Low
Fertility requirement: Medium
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Short
Active growth period: Spring
Fruit or seed: Red · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by: container, cuttings, seed, sprigs
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for VIED. 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; St. Pierre and Miquelon: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Viburnum pauciflorum.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 86 counties across 16 states; the most are in Alaska (22), Washington (17), Oregon (9).

Other Viburnum on Bloomipedia (11): Mapleleaf viburnum, Hobblebush, Guelder-rose, Blackhaw, Japanese snowball viburnum, Nannyberry, Northern wild raisin, Arrowwood viburnum, Laurustinus, Koreanspice viburnum.

More from the Viburnaceae family (14 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): American black elderberry, Red-berried elder, Blue elder.

More Alaska flowers

Red-berried elder

Sambucus racemosa

Native

🌼 Few flowering records in AK

Fireweed

Chamaenerion angustifolium

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: July–August

Common cowparsnip

Heracleum maximum

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: June–July

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile VIED.
iNaturalist, Viburnum edule: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Viburnum edule (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, Viburnum edule (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS; ASPCA.
Photo: mfeaver via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.