Berberis pinnata subsp. pinnata

Family: Berberidaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Oregon grape is a California native shrub found in northwestern, central western, western Transverse Ranges, southern Gabilan Range, and Peninsular Ranges in rocky slopes, conifer forest, oak woodland, and chaparral at elevations up to 1,900 meters. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces yellow flowers in clusters up to 7.5 centimeters long. Growing with erect upper stems generally less than 2 meters tall, it forms a dense, compact shrub. Its compound leaves have wavy leaflet margins with spines over 1 millimeter long, creating a distinctive, slightly prickly texture. The shrub's entire or slightly serrated leaves provide an attractive, intricate foliage structure characteristic of its species.

Habitat: Rocky slopes, conifer forest, oak woodland, chaparral

Bloom period: Feb-May

Elevation: < 1900 m

Bioregions: NW, CW, WTR, SnGb, PR

California counties: Humboldt, San Diego, Orange, San Benito, Monterey, San Mateo, Napa, Marin, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Los Angeles, Alameda, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz

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