Berberis repens

Creeping Oregon grape
Berberis repens with ripening fruit Grand Mesa, Colorado

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Berberis
Species:
B. repens
Binomial name
Berberis repens
Synonyms
  • Berberis aquifolium subsp. repens (Lindl.) Brayshaw
  • Berberis aquifolium var. repens (Lindl.) Scoggan
  • Mahonia repens (Lindl.) G.Don
  • Mahonia repens var. typica C.K.Schneid.
  • Odostemon repens (Lindl.) Cockerell

Berberis repens commonly known as creeping mahonia, creeping grape holly, or creeping barberry, is a species of Berberis native to most of the western United States and two western provinces of Canada. It is low growing shrub that spreads by underground stems. As a species it is well adapted to fire and is a very common understory plant in western forests. An evergreen species, it provides food to deer and elk in winter and can make up a significant part of their diet. The berries are eaten by birds and small mammals, aiding it in spreading to recently disturbed areas. It has found use as a xeric ornamental plant and has escaped from cultivation in areas beyond its native range.