Berberis pinnata subsp. insularis

Island barberry, Island Barberry

Family: Berberidaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2 · Endangered

Island barberry is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in the northern Channel Islands in closed-cone pine forest, oak woodland, and chaparral at elevations below 350 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces yellow flowers in clusters 3 to 7.5 centimeters long. Growing 2 to 4 meters tall with upper stems reclining to weakly erect, it forms a distinctive branching structure. Its compound leaves have dentate to serrate margins with small spines less than 1 millimeter long, creating a delicate textured appearance. The shrub's unique island habitat and compact growth make it a distinctive member of the Channel Islands' endemic flora.

Habitat: Closed-cone-pine forest, oak woodland, chaparral

Bloom period: Feb-Apr

Elevation: < 350 m

Bioregions: n ChI.

California counties: Santa Barbara, Ventura

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.