Empetrum nigrum
Black crowberry
(c) Dmitry Kulakov, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dmitry Kulakov · licence
Family: Empetraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Empetrum nigrum (Black crowberry) is a native California shrub in the Empetraceae family, recognized by Circumpolar genus reaching southern limit on California coast; represents ancient plant family with few modern representatives.
Black crowberry is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in northern coastal California, specifically Del Norte and Humboldt counties, growing on coastal cliffs at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small flowers with delicate stamens. Growing with decumbent branches 15 to 40 centimeters long, it forms a low-spreading ground cover with dense foliage. Its leaves are crowded and compact, measuring 3 to 6 millimeters long, glabrous except along the leaf groove. The fruit is a distinctive black or purple-black berry, occasionally red, and measures 4 to 6 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Circumpolar genus reaching southern limit on California coast; represents ancient plant family with few modern representatives
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal cliffs on rocks
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Alameda, Alpine
Outside California: to Alaska, circumboreal
Bloom period
Empetrum nigrum blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Rubus: Empetrum has grooved needle-like leaves; Rubus has broad, toothed compound leaves.; vs Acer: Empetrum has tiny needle-like leaves in whorls; Acer has large hand-shaped lobed leaves.; vs Fraxinus: Empetrum has whorled needle leaves with grooves; Fraxinus has opposite compound leaves with leaflets.; vs Shepherdia: Empetrum has grooved needle leaves; Shepherdia has flat, silvery-scaly leaves.; vs Tetracoccus: Empetrum has grooved needle-like leaves; Tetracoccus has normal flat leaves though very small.
Frequently asked questions
Is Empetrum nigrum native to California?
Yes. Empetrum nigrum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Empetrum nigrum bloom?
Empetrum nigrum blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Empetrum nigrum grow?
Empetrum nigrum occurs in Del Norte, Humboldt, Alameda, Alpine, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Empetrum nigrum belong to?
Empetrum nigrum is in the Empetraceae family, genus Empetrum.
Is Empetrum nigrum rare or endangered?
Empetrum nigrum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, 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.