Berberis nevinii
Nevin's barberry
(c) Andrew Pogany, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Berberidaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
Berberis nevinii (Nevin's barberry) is a native California shrub in the Berberidaceae family, recognized by red fruits distinctive, low elevation, sparse flowers.
Nevin's barberry is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southwestern California in sandy to gravelly soils, chaparral, and washes at elevations below 650 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces pale yellow flowers in open clusters 3.5 to 6.5 centimeters long, with 3 to 5 blossoms per cluster. Growing with erect stems 1 to 4 meters tall, it forms a dense, multi-branched shrub with distinctive spiny leaves. Its compound leaves have 3 to 5 narrow-elliptic leaflets, each 2.5 to 4 centimeters long with 8 to 10 small spines along the serrated edges, creating a complex, intricate foliage structure. The fruit is a spherical, bright red berry approximately 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; red fruits distinctive, low elevation, sparse flowers
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy to gravelly soils, washes, chaparral
Elevation: < 650 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Ventura, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Orange
Bloom period
Berberis nevinii blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Endangered
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 nevinii native to California?
Yes. Berberis nevinii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Berberis nevinii bloom?
Berberis nevinii blooms Mar-May.
Where in California does Berberis nevinii grow?
Berberis nevinii occurs in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Ventura, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and other counties, at elevations of < 650 m.
What plant family does Berberis nevinii belong to?
Berberis nevinii is in the Berberidaceae family, genus Berberis.
Is Berberis nevinii rare or endangered?
Berberis nevinii carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.