Alaska’s wild berries include blueberry, lowbush cranberry, crowberry, salmonberry, cloudberry, raspberry, nagoonberry and highbush cranberry. They grow across forest, tundra and bog, and alongside the pink spires of fireweed they are among the state’s best-known plants.[1][2]
| Alaska blueberry | Vaccinium uliginosum |
|---|---|
| Lowbush cranberry (lingonberry) | Vaccinium vitis-idaea |
| Salmonberry | Rubus spectabilis |
| Cloudberry | Rubus chamaemorus |
| Nagoonberry | Rubus arcticus |
Berries
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension lists Alaska blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), lowbush cranberry or lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), nagoonberry (Rubus arcticus), highbush cranberry (Viburnum edule) and watermelon berry (Streptopus amplexifolius). It also lists red huckleberry, serviceberry, wild strawberry, currants and gooseberry.[1]
Fireweed
Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium) has four magenta to pink petals and stems 0.5 to 2 metres tall, and it quickly colonises burned or open ground.[2]
FAQs
Which wild berries grow in Alaska? Blueberry, lowbush cranberry, crowberry, salmonberry, cloudberry, raspberry, nagoonberry and highbush cranberry, among others.
Is lingonberry the same as lowbush cranberry? Yes, the extension service lists them together.
Where can I learn about harvest times? The extension service points to BLM resources and a wild berries booklet.
Sources
Key facts
- 9 key berries
- Fireweed 0.5–2 m
- Cooperative Extension list
Quick checkIs cloudberry an Alaska berry?Show answer
Yes, Rubus chamaemorus.
Sources
- University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension. Wild Berries. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
- Wikipedia. Fireweed. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue