Taxon Report

Berberis pinnata Lag. ssp. insularis Munz

island barberry

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Berberis pinnata ssp. insularis, commonly known as island barberry, is a perennial evergreen shrub in the Berberidaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest, and Coastal scrub, growing at elevations from 75 to 400 meters. Berberis pinnata ssp. insularis is ranked 1B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Berberis pinnata Lag. ssp. insularis Munz
Common Name:	island barberry
Family:	Berberidaceae
Element Code:	PDBER060B2
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:	Mahonia pinnata (Lag.) Fedde ssp. insularis (Munz) Roof

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial evergreen shrub
Blooming Period: Feb-May	Feb-May
Elevation:	75-400 (245-1310)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Cismontane woodland, Closed-cone coniferous forest, Coastal scrub
Microhabitat:	Rocky
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.2
Global Rank:	G5T1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	CE
Fed List:	FE
Other Status:	SB_SBBG
CRPR Changes:

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	8
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	3
Fair (C)	1
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	2
Unknown (U)	2

Location


California Endemic: True
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Santa Barbara (SBA), Ventura (VEN)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Anacapa Island (3311983)*, Santa Cruz Island A (3311987), Santa Cruz Island B (3311986), Santa Rosa Island North (3312081)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	1
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	2	25 %
Erosion/runoff	2	25%

Notes



Known from fewer than 10 occurrences. Believed to be extirpated from ANA Isl. after surveys in 1994. Last seen on SRO Isl. in 1930, despite recent surveys. Threatened by feral herbivores. See Changing Seasons 1(3):14 (1981) for revised nomenclature.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 9 May 2025].