Spruce forests are interrupted by fields of salmonberry bushes, alders and wildflowers. Wetter slopes and riparian areas support red alder, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, salmonberry, and oxalis. The native shrubs within Hawthorne Park include salmonberry, and red elderberry. Salmonberry shrubs are common along the creek. Other vegetation include Salal, Salmonberry, Western Swordfern, and rhododendron. The understory is primarily composed of salal, hazel, salmonberry, devil's club and Oregon grape. Other flora include Sitka spruce, salmonberry, salal, tanoak, and western azalea. Boggy areas support cranberry, bog rosemary and salmonberry. By May, Salmonberry sprouts would be eaten with salmon eggs. The river's name comes from the salmonberry plant, "Rubus spectabilis". In 2007, a major storm caused the Salmonberry Bridge (located at ) to collapse. It receives the Salmonberry River from the east in northern Tillamook County.