Native in the Pacific Northwest from Alaska to California, east to Montana and New Mexico. Found in open woods at low to mid elevations. The berries can be used as a black pigment, and the early natives rubbed the berry juice in their hair to color their gray hairs black. The berries are very bitter and not considered palatable to most people. Bears, small mammals, game birds and songbirds all eat them. Host plant for the larva of Gillett's checkermallow. Used for erosion control and riparian restoration. The leaves, berries and bark have been used medicinally.

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