Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Berberis repens Lindley
(Creeping Barberry, Creeping Oregon-Grape)


Family: Berberidaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Berberis aquifolius Pursh
Berberis nana Greene
Mahonia repens (Lindley) G. Don
Odostemon repens (Lindley) Cockerell

Berberis repens is a creeping perennial with yellow flowers and leaves with spines. The leaves are sometimes mostly red or purple, or have purple blotches. The inflorescence is a spike of flowers nearly sessile on the ground. The anthers open by means of upturning valves. The berries are glaucous blue and about 6 or 7mm in diameter. Berberis repens is typically found at mid elevations growing in the shade of Alligator Juniper.



Berberis repens, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City Range, Bear Mountain, Oct. 7, 2007



Berberis repens, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City Range, Bear Mountain, Apr. 8, 2008



Berberis repens, glaucous blue berries, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City Range, Bear Mtn. Road, July 6, 2009



Berberis repens, flowering, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Georgetown Road, April 7, 2009



Berberis repens, closeup of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Georgetown Road, April 7, 2009



Berberis repens, 5x macro of anthers opened by upturned valves, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City Range, Bear Mountain Road, April 8, 2009


Back to the Index