Taxon Report

Berberis nevinii Gray

Nevin's barberry

Print Report



Species Description:
Berberis nevinii, commonly known as Nevin's barberry, is a perennial evergreen shrub in the Berberidaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal scrub, and Riparian scrub, growing at elevations from 70 to 825 meters. Berberis nevinii is ranked 1B.1, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Seriously threatened in California.

  Classification

Scientific Name:
Berberis nevinii Gray
Common Name:
Nevin's barberry
Family: Berberidaceae
Element Code: PDBER060A0
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Mahonia nevinii (Gray) Fedde

Ecology and Life History

Lifeform: perennial evergreen shrub
Blooming Period: (Feb)Mar-Jun (Feb)Mar-Jun
Elevation: 70-825 (230-2705)
General Habitats: Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Coastal scrub, Riparian scrub
Microhabitat: Gravelly (sometimes), Sandy (sometimes)
Microhabitat Details:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB

Total Occurrences: 32
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 0
   Good (B) 3
   Fair (C) 8
   Poor (D) 4
   None (X) 5
   Unknown (U) 12
California Endemic:  True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Los Angeles (LAX), Riverside (RIV), San Bernardino (SBD), San Diego (SDG)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Aguanga (3311647), Boucher Hill (3311638), Burbank (3411823), Harrison Mtn. (3411722)?, Hollywood (3411813), Mt. Baldy (3411726), Newhall (3411845), Ontario (3411716), Pasadena (3411822), Pechanga (3311741), Ranchita (3311625), Redlands (3411712), Riverside East (3311783), Sage (3311658), San Bernardino North (3411723), San Fernando (3411834), Sunland (3411833)*, Tubb Canyon (3311624), Vail Lake (3311648), Warm Springs Mountain (3411855)?

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 17
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
20 63 %
Development 9 28%
Erosion/runoff 7 21%
Road/trail construction/maint. 6 18%
Wood cutting or brush clearing 5 15%
Non-native plant impacts 5 15%
Recreational use (non-ORV) 5 15%
Foot traffic/trampling 5 15%
Improper burning regime 5 15%
Grazing 3 9%
ORV activity 3 9%
Vandalism/dumping/litter 3 9%
Other 2 6%
Dam/Inundation 2 6%
Agriculture 2 6%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 3%
Channelization 1 3%
Mining 1 3%

Notes

Many historical occurrences have been extirpated. Threatened by alteration of fire regimes, development, and road maintenance. Possibly threatened by illegal dumping, fire suppression, and vehicles. Angeles NF has adopted species management guidelines. Plants in San Francisquito Cyn. (163D) are introduced. See Synoptical Flora of North America 1(1):69 (1895) for original description, and Journal of the Linnean Society of London 57(369):354 (1961) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:
Taxonomy:
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 15 January 2025].