A North African is producing this shrub (8)
I believe the answer is:
berberis
'this shrub' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both plants as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'a north african is' is the wordplay.
'a north african' becomes 'berber' (I've seen this in another clue).
'berber'+'is'='BERBERIS'
'producing' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for berberis that I've seen before include "Shrub made from beer and ribs" , "Spiny shrub sometimes planted to deter burglars" , "This bush be briers, strangely" , "plant" , "N African Muslim" .)