Description

This attractive shrub is endemic to the northern Channel Islands, where it thrives in a setting moderated by the Pacific Ocean. Island barberry grows as an upright, open shrub to about seven feet. The compound leaves consist of numerous oval leaflets with spiny margins (edges). The leaflets are dark green and somewhat glossy. As the leaves mature, a few might take on some red and orange hues, which adds to the visual interest of the plant. The clusters of bright yellow flowers appear at the end of stems in spring. The blue berries that follow are edible, but reportedly somewhat bitter. Like other California barberries, the island barberry is adaptable to many growing conditions.