barberries

genus Berberis

Member of barberry family (family Berberidaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)

There are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.

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oregon grape
Berberis aquifolium

• compound leaf with petiole > 3 cm
• usually 5–9 leaflets, ± pinnately veined
• leaflet ± flat, margin ± thin, not hard
• 12–24 spines per side

shining netvein barberry
Berberis dictyota

• compound leaf
• usually 7–9 leaflets, ± pinnately veined, not shiny
• leaflet margin strongly wavy, thick, usually hard
• 6–10 spines per side, 2–5 mm long

cascade oregon-grape
Berberis nervosa

• compound leaf
• leaflets ± palmately veined

darwin’s barberry
Berberis darwinii

• simple leaf (not opposite leaflets on a distinct stalk)

Toxicity of barberry (Berberis spp.):
4 – Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to the heart, liver, kidneys or brain. If ingested in any amount, call the poison center immediately.
At least one lower-level taxon has differing toxicity.

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1 observed taxon / 4 unobserved taxons / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 2 (none are research grade)

Locations:

• Sibley Volcanic RP
• Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area

Months:

• Mar.: 1
• Apr.: 0
• May: 0
• Jun.: 0
• Jul.: 0
• Aug.: 1

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora