# Pacific ninebark (*Physocarpus capitatus*) The Pacific ninebark is a fun shrub with beautiful, peeling bark and lovely white flowers. It grows in clusters and is great for attracting butterflies and bees! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Pacific ninebark](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Physocarpus_capitatus_9540.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Physocarpus_capitatus_9540.JPG) ## Appearance The Pacific ninebark is a deciduous shrub with striking reddish-brown bark that peels away in papery layers. It features clusters of small, five-petaled white to pinkish flowers, often appearing fuzzy from numerous stamens. Its leaves are lobed, bright green, and turn yellow or bronze in autumn. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Rosaceae - **Genus:** Physocarpus ## Interesting facts - "Ninebark" refers to its amazing bark constantly peeling away in many thin, papery layers. - Even after its leaves fall, its beautiful exfoliating bark makes it interesting to look at all winter! - Its tough bark was traditionally woven into strong ropes and fishing nets by indigenous peoples! - This hardy shrub can thrive in both very wet soil and drier conditions once established. ## Special abilities - **Bark Shedder:** Pacific ninebark has unique peeling bark that helps it shed moss and lichens, keeping its woody stems healthy and strong. - **Stream Stabilizer:** Its extensive root system allows Pacific ninebark to anchor soil firmly, helping it prevent erosion along stream banks. - **Insect Magnet:** The clusters of tiny white flowers on Pacific ninebark attract a wide variety of busy bees and other helpful pollinating insects. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 100-600 cm - **Spread:** 100-500 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.5-1.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Two-form Bumble Bee (*Bombus bifarius*) — collects nectar and pollen - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — gathers nectar from its flowers - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — browses its leaves and twigs - **Shelter:** [Pacific Wren](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-wren) (*Troglodytes pacificus*) — nests in its dense branches ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem. - [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay on paths when exploring nature and don't touch plants without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pacific ninebark? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Pacific ninebark? 100-600 cm ### How wide does Pacific ninebark spread? 100-500 cm ### How big are the flowers on Pacific ninebark? 0.5-1.5 cm ### When does Pacific ninebark bloom? Late spring to early summer ### Is Pacific ninebark edible? No ### Is Pacific ninebark toxic? None ### What is Pacific ninebark's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cougar-mountain-regional-wildland-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Azalea State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/azalea-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Old Town Eureka](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-town-eureka) — California, US · Historic District - [Oregon Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oregon-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Peavy Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peavy-arboretum) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Pacific ninebark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pacific-ninebark) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Pacific ninebark: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-ninebark)