New Mexico State University
College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences | ACES
NMSU: Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Algerita

(a.k.a. agarita, agrito, currant-of-Texas, wild currant)
Tsinłitsoi
Spine-tipped leaves
Amy Smith Muise
Spine-tipped leaves

Algerita, a member of the barberry family, has spiny bluish or gray-green holly-like foliage with masses of fragrant yellow flowers in early spring, followed by attractive juicy red berries. Protected by sharp, spine-tipped leaves, its edible fruit is savored by wildlife and humans. Other similar Southwest native barberries include the larger B. haematocarpa and the smaller B. swaseyi.

Ripening berries and spine-tipped foliage
Amy Smith Muise
Berries
Highly branched habit
Amy Smith Muise
Branches and foliage
Dark green, shiny foliage and red berries
Amy Smith Muise
Berries and holly-like foliage
yellow flowers, green holly-like leaves on a branch
Amy Smith Muise
Profuse yellow flowers fill a branch
Amy Smith Muise
Scientific Name
Berberis trifoliolata
Plant Type
Brush
Growing Season
Cool Season
Habitat
Brushlands
Flower Color
Yellow
Other Traits
✓
Edible berries
✓
Good for wildlife
⚠
May cause injury

For definitions, see the glossary.

©2018 NMSU Board of Regents.
Individual photographers retain all rights to their images.
Partially funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (westernsare.org; 435.797.2257), project EW15-023.
Programs and projects supported by Western SARE are equally open to all people.