Poisonous Plants & Berries in Alaska: What to Avoid in the Wild

Alaska’s poisonous plants and berries are worth knowing before you head into the field. The landscapes of the 49th state are extraordinarily abundant, berries, mushrooms, edible greens, available to anyone willing to learn how to use them. But mixed in with all that abundance are some plants that will ruin your day, and a handful that can kill you.

My Experience with Poisonous Plants & Berries in Alaska

When I was growing up, I practically lived in the woods. I’d spend all my spare time there, building forts, fishing local ponds, and pretending to be John Thornton from “The Call of the Wild.” I picked up a lot of knowledge just by being out there, like figuring out that using poison ivy for “carpet flooring” in my forts was a terrible idea!

While learning through trial and error is valuable, sometimes it’s smarter, and less itchy, to learn from those who already know what they’re doing.

I’ve spent over a decade working across Alaska for National Geographic, Discovery, and others, much of it in the field alongside professional safety guides and long-time resident hunter-gatherers. I’ve learned a few things about living off the land out there. Things like how to drive a skiff, catch a halibut, cook a beaver, and avoid the plants that want to hurt you.

Here’s what you need to know before you start foraging in the Last Frontier.

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Poisonous Alaska Plants & Berries Guide

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Poisonous Plants in Alaska

Alaska certainly has some poisonous plants and berries in it, but compared to other parts of the world, they shouldn’t be your biggest concern. Unless you’re going around eating even plant you see, which I don’t recommend doing outside of a Ruby Tuesday’s salad bar. Anywho, here’s a list of Alaska’s less than friendly flora that you should do your best to avoid.

Water Hemlock (Cicuta Douglasii) – Lethal

Per the USDA, “Water Hemlock is the most violently toxic plant that grows in North America.” It grows in wet areas throughout Alaska, particularly along streams and marshes. Sometimes and unfortunately it is mistaken for edible wild parsnips. The deadly toxin in water hemlock, cicutoxin, can cause convulsions, seizures, respiratory failure, and death. While mature leaves and stems lose most of their toxicity, the entire plant is poisonous and should be avoided.

False Hellebore (Veratrum L.) – Toxic

False Hellebore, white and green, is a perennial herbaceous plant found in damp meadows, seepage areas, and hillsides throughout Alaska. It shoots up out of the snow in spring and flowers towards the end of the summer, in July and August. While mainly a concern for livestock, this poisonous plant in Alaska should be avoided by humans as well.

All parts of the plant are poisonous, the roots being the most toxic. If ingested symptoms can include; nausea, vomiting, slow breathing, irregular heartbeat, coma and convulsions. While certain species of the Veratrum have been used for homeopathic treatments, there isn’t much data to back it up. If you come across false hellebore in Alaska, leave this pretty and poisonous plant alone.

Devil’s Club (Oplopanax Horridus) – Toxic

This nasty bastard of a poisonous plant has battled me for years. The spiny shrub from hell proliferates throughout Alaska’s landscapes. We often joke that devils club tends to be the only available lifeline when scaling a steep hillside or riverbank. I’ve grabbed more than my fair share of this notoriously poisonous plant in Alaska. Its barbs break off inside you and can take weeks to work themselves out. Very un-fun for sure.

While some folks claim Devil’s Club has medicinal values, like treating arthritis and digestive issues, its sharp spines and toxic properties make it a plant to avoid for casual foragers. Contact with Devil’s Club can cause painful skin irritation, and ingesting its berries or roots can lead to gastrointestinal distress. If you see this guy, just go the other way.

Poisonous Flowers in Alaska

In nature, pretty often means dangerous, a thorny rose for example. The same is true for these lovely poisonous flowering plants in Alaska.

Monkshood (Aconitum L.) – Lethal

If you’re hiking in Alaska, don’t even touch this purple princess of death, even skin contact with this poisonous plant is dangerous. Monkshood, also known as Wolfsbane or Aconite, is a highly toxic flowering plant found in woodlands, meadows and mid-alpine regions of Alaska. The plant’s distinctive blue-purple flowers and deeply lobed leaves make it easily recognizable, but its alkaloid toxins can cause severe symptoms if ingested, including vomiting, diarrhea, numbness, respiratory paralysis, or even death! Obviously, this poisonous plant in Alaska should be avoided at all costs.

Death Camas (Zigadenus Michx.) – Lethal

The aptly named Death Camas is a highly toxic plant found in various regions of North America, including Alaska. This deceptive little guy contains alkaloids that can cause severe poisoning and may be fatal if ingested. While mostly a concern for grazing livestock, foraging folks should take heed as well. All parts of this poisonous plant, including bulbs, leaves, and flowers, contain toxic compounds. Ingestion of Death Camas can lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, tremors, convulsions, respiratory paralysis, and cardiac arrest.

Arrowgrass (Triglochin L.) – Lethal

Arrowgrass is a poisonous plant species found in the wetland areas across Alaska. While toxic arrowgrass is more of a concern for grazing livestock it can lethal to humans as well. The National parks service warns that “When Arrowgrass is dry, it contains hydrocyanic acid which, when ingested in quantity, can result in death from respiratory failure.”

Less Poisonous Plants in Alaska

Here’s a few more plants that aren’t as poisonous, but should be handled with care or avoided all together.

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum) – Mildly Toxic

Cow Parsnip is a common plant found in wetlands, meadows, and Alaska’s moist, shaded, forest edges. While the plant itself is not typically considered toxic, coming into contact with its sap followed by exposure to sunlight, can cause some severe skin irritation. Nasty stuff like blistering, and discoloration that resembles burns.

While it might sound easy to avoid this strange looking plant that grows over six feet tall, it can catch you by surprise. In my experience the poisonous plant grows together and if you are hiking through a thick area you can find yourself in the middle of a big patch. Best to keep a long sleeve shirt for protection against this poisonous plant in Alaska.

Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton Schott) – Mildly Toxic

Whenever I’ve been out on a black bear hunt in early spring I always see patches of this stuff half eaten and destroyed. While it seems bears really dig this stuff, I would suggest steering clear. It’s not considered toxic to humans, but all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and discomfort if ingested raw. The plant’s leaves and roots have historically been used in traditional medicine and as food by indigenous peoples after proper preparation, which typically involves cooking or fermenting to remove the oxalates. Skunk Cabbage emits a strong odor when crushed, hence its name, but it is not harmful when handled.

Water Arum (Calla palustris) – Mildly Toxic

Water Arum, also known as Wild Calla, is a plant species found in wetland habitats across North America, including Alaska. All parts of the plant contain oxalic acid, which can cause irritation, swelling, and discomfort if ingested. It’s said that drying the plant out will neutralize the toxins. The plant’s leaves and roots have historically been used in traditional medicine by indigenous peoples.

Poisonous Berries in Alaska

Okay, so thankfully there are only a couple really poisonous berries in Alaska, with one notorious berry that is to be taken very seriously.

Baneberry (Actaea rubra) – Lethal

These tiny blood colored berries are the bane of all foraging folks existence. But seriously, the highly poisonous red Baneberry poses the most significant threat out of any berry in Alaska. Despite their attractive appearance, Baneberries are highly toxic! These femme fatales contain cardiogenic toxins that can cause cardiac arrest and other serious health complications.

While, Baneberries aren’t typically lethal to humans because most people spit them out after tasting their extreme bitterness, they are a real threat. Ingestion of even small quantities can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, followed by more serious cardiac symptoms such as irregular heartbeat and elevated blood pressure. In extreme cases, consumption of the berries can prove fatal.

Devil’s Club Berries

I know we talked about this at the top, but I just wanted to remind everyone that devils club is an angry old hag of a poisonous plant in Alaska. The stalk, the roots, the leaves, the stem, and yes THE BERRIES should all be avoided like unwrapped candy on Halloween. I hate you devil’s club, I hate you.

Inedible or Mildly Poisonous Berries in Alaska

While these berries in Alaska might not be fatally poisonous, you still don’t want to ingest them. Kinda like those armadillo nachos from that bluegrass festival in bumf*ck Mississippi. They won’t kill you, but you might start growing hair in weird places and be pretty uncomfortable for awhile.

Black Twin-berry (Lonicera involucrata) – mildly toxic

Black Twinberry’s reputation is a real rollercoaster, ranging from “poisonous” to “useful as food” depending on who you ask, talk about mixed signals! Alongside its culinary versatility, it was also prized as a source of dye and boasted a laundry list of medicinal applications across various indigenous tribes. While indigenous populations may have used it for swellings, dandruff, wounds,, sore throats, burns, and itches, the bitter taste and risk of stomach irritation is enough for me to skip this one. But let me know if you’re brave enough to try and how that goes!

Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) – mildly toxic

Snowberries are mildly toxic to humans if ingested in large quantities. While the berries may cause gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, they are not typically considered lethal. Symphoricarpos albus, thrives in Alaska’s woodlands, reaching up to 4 feet in height with oval leaves growing up to 3 inches long. Its pink and white bell-shaped flowers bloom in June, followed by white, opaque berries in August. While birds rely on these berries as a winter food source, they are mild toxic to humans in large quantities due the presence of saponins.

This is another berry with a complex spectrum of uses. The St’át’imc people would use the roots and stems in a concoction to treat a spectrum of ailments, ranging from urinary issues to venereal diseases and even the fevers associated with teething sickness. Its so crazy to think about the potential medicines we miss out when we lose different cultures.

Red-Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) – unpalatable

Red-Twig Dogwood berries are generally considered non-toxic to humans and wildlife. While the berries are not typically consumed by humans due to their bitter taste and unpalatable texture, they are not known to be poisonous. However, Red-Twig Dogwood berries are considered inedible, bitter, and may cause stomach irritation.

Queen’s Cup (Clintonia uniflora) – unpalatable

Queens Cup berries are another Alaska plant that isn’t considered poisonous, but is generally considered inedible. The tiny blue berries are often eaten by birds and animals but shouldn’t be consumed by humans. While non-toxic they have a foul taste and are considered unpalatable.

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Poisonous Plants in Alaska: Conclusion

Alaska’s wilderness is extraordinarily abundant — but not everything out there is edible. The good news is that most of these plants are easy to avoid once you know what you’re looking for, and the truly lethal ones tend to grow in specific habitats. Water Hemlock likes wet areas. Monkshood shows up in meadows and mid-alpine zones. Baneberries are recognizable once you’ve seen them once.

If you plan on foraging in Alaska, spend some time with a good field guide before you go. The one we recommend most is Alaska’s Wild Berries and Berry-like Fruit by Verna E. Pratt — it’s the standard reference and worth having in your pack.

When in doubt, don’t eat it. Stay safe out there.

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Poisonous Plants & Berries in Alaska FAQs

What is the most poisonous plant in Alaska? 

Water Hemlock is considered the most violently toxic plant in North America according to the USDA. It grows in wet areas throughout Alaska and can cause convulsions, seizures, respiratory failure, and death. It’s sometimes mistaken for edible wild parsnips, which makes it especially dangerous.

What is the most poisonous berry in Alaska? 

Baneberry’s are the most dangerous berry in Alaska. The cardiogenic toxins it contains can cause cardiac arrest. As few as six berries can cause serious poisoning in an adult, and just two can be fatal to a child. They’re recognizable by their bright red or white color with a distinctive black dot at the tip.

Can you touch Monkshood? 

No — even skin contact with Monkshood can be dangerous. The plant’s alkaloid toxins can be absorbed through the skin, causing numbness and tingling. If you encounter the distinctive blue-purple flowers on an Alaska trail, admire them from a distance and move on.

Is Devil’s Club actually poisonous? 

Devil’s Club is toxic if you ingest its berries or roots, and its spines cause painful skin irritation — the barbs break off and can take weeks to work out. It’s not going to kill you, but it will make you miserable. Anyone who has spent time in Southeast Alaska’s forests has a Devil’s Club story.

How do I tell Baneberry from highbush cranberry? 

This is a critical distinction. Baneberries often grow in clusters on thick red stems and have a distinct black dot at the tip of each berry. Highbush cranberries grow on woody shrubs and don’t have the black dot. When in doubt, consult a field guide or don’t eat them.

Are there poisonous mushrooms in Alaska too? 

Yes — Alaska has several toxic mushroom species alongside its edible ones. We cover them in detail in our Edible Mushrooms in Alaska guide.

What should I do if I think I’ve eaten a poisonous plant or berry in Alaska? 

Contact Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (US). Don’t wait for symptoms to develop. If possible, take a photo of the plant or berry so medical staff can identify it. In remote areas of Alaska where cell service is limited, this is exactly the kind of emergency worth carrying a satellite communicator for.

Is Cow Parsnip dangerous to touch? 

Not from contact alone — but if the sap gets on your skin and you’re then exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe blistering and burns. Wear long sleeves when hiking through areas where it grows, especially in summer when it can reach over six feet tall and form dense patches.

What’s the best field guide for identifying plants and berries in Alaska? 

Alaska’s Wild Berries and Berry-like Fruit by Verna E. Pratt is the most widely recommended reference. For broader plant identification, the USDA Plants Database is a reliable free resource.

Are Alaska’s poisonous plants found throughout the whole state? 

Distribution varies by species. Water Hemlock and Arrowgrass prefer wetland areas. Monkshood is found in woodlands and alpine meadows. Devil’s Club is most abundant in Southeast Alaska’s coastal rainforests. Baneberry grows across a wide range of forested habitats statewide. Knowing where each plant grows helps you stay alert in the right environments.

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More Alaska Wildlife & Nature Guides

• Wildlife & Nature Hub — all Alaska wildlife articles
• Alaska Wildflowers — 30+ species, bloom calendar, and where to find them
• Edible Mushrooms in Alaska — what’s safe to forage and what to avoid
• Are There Snakes in Alaska? — the surprising answer
• Black Bear vs Grizzly Bear — how to tell them apart in the field
• Bear Viewing From Homer — the best way to see Alaska’s bears safely
• Porcupines in Alaska — more common than you’d think