# squashberry (*Viburnum edule*) Squashberry is a small shrub that grows berries which are bright red and tasty! These berries are loved by many animals and can be found in cool, shady places. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 7 - **Habitat:** Forests ![squashberry](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Viburnum_edule_fruit.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viburnum_edule_fruit.jpg) ## Appearance The squashberry is a medium-sized shrub with reddish-brown bark and broad, toothed green leaves. It produces clusters of small white flowers that transform into bright red, translucent berries. These vibrant berries ripen in late summer. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Dipsacales - **Family:** Viburnaceae - **Genus:** Viburnum ## Interesting facts - Each tiny white flower has exactly five petals, shaped like a perfect little star. - Its scientific name, Viburnum edule, actually means "edible viburnum"! - Native peoples traditionally used these berries for delicious jams and even medicines. - The bright red berries often cling to the bush long after leaves fall, a winter surprise! ## Special abilities - **Seed Spreader:** Squashberry has juicy red berries that attract birds and mammals, helping it spread its seeds far and wide to reproduce. - **Cold Conqueror:** Squashberry can thrive in very cold northern climates, thanks to its sturdy stems and ability to tolerate harsh winters. - **Root Rover:** Squashberry can grow new plants from its underground roots, allowing it to form dense thickets and expand its territory. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-300 cm - **Spread:** 100-250 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — eats berries for energy - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — disperses seeds after eating berries - **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — visits flowers for nectar and pollen - **Shelter:** Winter Wren (*Troglodytes hiemalis*) — uses dense branches for cover and nesting ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always check with an adult before trying any berries you find in nature. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify squashberry? Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is squashberry? 100-300 cm ### How wide does squashberry spread? 100-250 cm ### How big are the flowers on squashberry? 0.5-1 cm ### When does squashberry bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is squashberry edible? Yes ### Is squashberry toxic? None ### What is squashberry's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Illinois Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/illinois-street-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Gakona Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gakona-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Alaska Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alaska-botanical-garden) — Alaska, US · Botanical Garden - [Kennecott](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kennecott) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Kijik](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kijik) — Alaska, US · Neighborhood - [Kijik Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kijik-archeological-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District [View all places to see squashberry](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/squashberry) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Squashberry: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/squashberry)