Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium
Oregon grape
Photo: parent species Berberis aquifolium · (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Berberidaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium (Oregon grape) is a native California shrub in the Berberidaceae family, recognized by tallest variety, shiny flat leaves, conifer forest habitat.
Oregon grape is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Gabriel Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in conifer forest at elevations of 400 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces deep blue to purple flowers in clusters with glossy, dark green leaflets. Growing with ascending to erect stems one to two meters tall, it forms a dense, multi-branched structure with woody stems. Its compound leaves are large, typically 10 to 24 centimeters long, with 5 to 9 ovate leaflets that have spiny edges and a shiny upper surface. The shrub produces dark blue, ovoid fruits that provide food for local wildlife.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; tallest variety, shiny flat leaves, conifer forest habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Conifer forest
Elevation: 400-2300 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity, Alameda, Napa, Del Norte, Plumas, Lassen, Modoc, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Berberis has compound leaves or simple leaves with regular spiny teeth; Quercus has simple lobed leaves with irregular lobes.; vs Ilex: Berberis has compound leaves or alternate simple leaves; Ilex has only simple leaves that are spirally arranged.; vs Pyracantha: Berberis has yellow flowers and compound or simple spiny-edged leaves; Pyracantha has white flowers and simple leaves with thorns on stems.; vs Rosa: Berberis has yellow flowers with 6 petals; Rosa has pink-white flowers with 5 petals and compound leaves with paired leaflets.; vs Rhaphiolepis: Berberis has yellow flowers and spiny-toothed leaves; Rhaphiolepis has white-pink flowers and simple leaves with smooth or finely toothed edges.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium native to California?
Yes. Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium bloom?
Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium grow?
Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium occurs in Los Angeles, Siskiyou, Shasta, Trinity, Alameda, Napa, Del Norte, Plumas and other counties, at elevations of 400-2300 m.
What plant family does Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium belong to?
Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium is in the Berberidaceae family, genus Berberis.
What habitat does Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium grow in?
Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium grows in Conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.