Berberis pinnata

The shrub California barberry (Berberis pinnata) was formerly known as Mahonia pinnata, and some sources still refer to it that way. The genus Mahonia is sometimes considered to be part of Berberis. Other common names for this species are wavyleaf barberry and shinyleaf mahonia. It is a dark green bush which resembles holly with its serrated leaves but bears round purple fruits that look like small grapes. This species is quite similar to the Oregon-grape (Mahonia aquifolium), and is sometimes called the California Oregon-grape. The plant is found along the coast from Oregon to Baja on coastal mountain slopes, most often as part of a woodland plant community. Its fruits are not true grapes, but they are edible, if a bit sour and packed with seeds. They have also been used to produce purple dye. Medicinal uses of the plant include an edible bark preparation as treatment for fever, rheumatism, and dysentery.