
Flower profile
Oregon grape
Berberis aquifolium
Oregon grape is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 3 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in March–May.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Quick look
Berberis aquifolium, the Oregon grape, holly-leaved barberry, or Mahonia, is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae. It is an evergreen shrub growing up to 3 metres (10 ft) tall and 1.5 m (5 ft) wide. It has pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, exhibiting dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries.
- It belongs to the Berberidaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 11 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Washington, Oregon and Idaho. NatureServe
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
- In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 8 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 7,583 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #13 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 7,103 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #4 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 577 research-grade sightings of it in Idaho, ranking #53 among the 109 flowers on our Idaho list. iNaturalist
Oregon grape gift ideas
Handmade oregon grape gifts from independent makers.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
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Oregon grape art print
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Oregon grape greeting card
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Oregon grape mug
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Oregon grape earrings
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Oregon grape embroidery pattern
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Oregon grape sticker
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 3 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Native | March–May | 7,583 |
| Oregon | Native | March–May | 7,103 |
| Idaho | Native | February–May | 577 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
- Idaho
- No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Idaho.
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: bark, leaves, roots, sap/juice. Symptoms they list: “Ingestion may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.” They also note: “Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records Oregon grape in 11 states plus Washington, D.C.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
California, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington; District of Columbia.
Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Ferry, Grays Harbor, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima.
Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Union, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, Yamhill.
Idaho counties with USDA records: Ada, Adams, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Canyon, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Gem, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Valley.
More Washington flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile MAAQ2.
- iNaturalist, Berberis aquifolium: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Berberis aquifolium (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 4 (1899), listed in ORS chapter 186 notes: Oregon state flower.
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- Idaho: Idaho noxious weeds (IDAPA 02.06.09, Section 220).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Berberis aquifolium (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: Daughter Dad via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.


