Flower profile

Western bunchberry

Cornus unalaschkensis

Native in the lower 48

Western bunchberry 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 May–July.

5states

3of our state lists

8,770U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Alaska, Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Cornus × unalaschkensis is a species of flowering plant in the Cornaceae, the dogwood family. Common names for the plant include Alaskan bunchberry, western cordilleran bunchberry, or simply western bunchberry.
From Wikipedia's article Cornus × unalaschkensis, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Cornaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / 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 Washington, Oregon and Alaska. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 4,309 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #34 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 2,095 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #80 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 2,007 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #13 among the 108 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

Western bunchberry gift ideas

Handmade western bunchberry 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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Western bunchberry art print
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Western bunchberry greeting card
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Western bunchberry mug
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Western bunchberry earrings
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Western bunchberry embroidery pattern
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Western bunchberry sticker
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (908 records)

Bloom time in each of our 3 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Washington	Native	May–July	4,309
Oregon	Native	May–July	2,095
Alaska	Native	May–July	2,007

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: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: CA (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 Western bunchberry 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, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Yakima.

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

Alaska counties with USDA records: Juneau, Ketchikan Gateway, Northwest Arctic.

More Washington flowers

Canadian bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Native

🌼 Blooms: May–July

Red osier dogwood

Cornus sericea

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–August

Swedish cornel

Cornus suecica

🌼 Blooms: May–August

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile COUN.
iNaturalist, Cornus unalaschkensis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Cornus × unalaschkensis (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, Cornus unalaschkensis (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: no source found (marked "not well documented").
Photo: Tuoichen via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.