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Physocarpus capitatus
Physocarpus capitatus (Pursh) Kuntze
Pacific Ninebark
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s): Physocarpus opulifolius var. tomentellus
USDA Symbol: PHCA11
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Pacific ninebark is a 3-8 ft., or taller, vase-shaped, deciduous shrub with exfoliating bark and foliage resembling small grape or currant leaves. Tiny, white flowers occur in 3-5 in. wide clusters. Fall foliage ranges from intense red to subtle rose-brown.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Notes: Up to about 20 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AK , CA , ID , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: AK to CA & ID
Native Habitat: Moist banks & north slopes below 4500 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist to drier soils.
Conditions Comments: Can become drought tolerant.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Easy to start from semi-hardwood cuttings with or without hormone treatment. Slow to start from fall-sown seed.Seed Collection: Ripe fruits can be picked from the shrub or shaken onto a drop cloth.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FACW | FACW |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 37 - Calscape (2019) California Native Plant Society
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Additional resources
USDA: Find Physocarpus capitatus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Physocarpus capitatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Physocarpus capitatus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-20Research By: TWC Staff