Scientific Family
Berberidaceae
Synonyms
Berberis fremontii, Berberis higginsiae, Mahonia higginsiae, Odostemon fremontii
Other common names
Fremont barberry
holly-grape
barberry
desert oregon-grape
Plant type
Shrubs
Riparian
No
Plant Description
Origin
Native
Similar species
Berberis haematocarpa
A large, straggly, prickly, holly-like fragrant shrub.
Terminal leaflet of each leaf usually less than 1 inch long, not more than twice as long as wide; berries spherical, blue or blue-black when mature, becoming dry. Flower clusters short, flat-topped, loose, few-flowered; outside flowers open first.
Height
14 feet
Width
10 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Found on slopes and flats, often in association with pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
7000
Leaves
Leaf color
Gray-green
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
Yes
Leaf Drop
Evergreen
Holly-like, spiny, leathery and consisting of 3 to 9 leaflets that are about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide.
Flowers
Flower color
Yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
June
6 yellow petals with flower to 1 inch wide in clusters of 3 to 9. Flower cluster is flat-topped, loose with few flowers; outermost flowers being the first to open.
Flower clusters
Rounded
Fruit
Fruit color
Blue to blue-black
Fruit type
Berry-like
Dark blue 1/2 inch wide berry.