Barberry

(Berberis Thunbergii)

Interesting Information About Plant: 

     Barberry was first introduced to the United States in 1864 as an ornamental. Barberries are often used in the southern landscape because they tolerate extreme soil and climate conditions and require minimum maintenance. The growth rate of Japanese barberry is medium, 1 to 2 feet per year. All barberries make excellent hedge plants because of their uniform growth rate, and they make excellent barrier plants because of the thorny nature of their stems. They can be used for massing, shrub borders and as foundation plants. Japanese barberry is often used to hold and furnish slopes and banks. One of their main threats is Aphids.  This is because they suck plant juices and coat the leaves with sticky honeydew. Japanese barberry poses a significant threat to natural areas due to its popularity as a landscape shrub, ability to tolerate full shade, and the dispersal of its prolific seeds by birds.  So far it has no medicinal purposes, but maybe one day it could be used.

Common Name: Red Barberry

Scientific Name:   Berberis Thunbergii

Family Name (Scientific and Common):  

         Scientific- Berberidaceae

         Common- Barberry Family

Continent of Origin: Asia (Japan)

Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant:  The most Morphological features of this plant is the thorns; they help protect the plant. Also, the red berries it forms in the summer time are a unique feature.

Plant Growth Habit:     Shrub  

Height at Maturity:     Between 3 – 10 Feet  

Life Span:   Perennial

Seasonal Habit:    Deciduous Perennial

Growth Habitat:    Full Sun or Partial Sun

Manner of Culture:  Landscape Shrub-Vine-Tree

Thorns on Younger Stem?   Yes  

Cross Section of Younger Stem:      Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter:   Between The Diameter of a Pencil and a Broom-Handle 

Produces Brownish Bark?   Yes  

Bark Peeling in Many Areas?   No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark?  Smooth Bark 

Type of Leaf:   Flat, Thin Leaf   

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet):   Less than Length of a Credit Card 

Leaf Complexity:    Simple 

Shape of Leaf:    Simple 

Edge of Leaf?    Smooth 

Leaf Arrangement:  Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole?  No

Patterns of Main-Veins:  Parallel 

Leaf Hairiness:   No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer:    Reddish-Brownish  

Change in Color of Foliage in October:     Changes to Yellow  

Flowering Season:   Spring 

Flowers:   in Loose Group 

Type of Flower:   Colorful Flower

Color of Flower:   Yellow 

Shape of Individual Flower:   Bilaterally Symmetrical 

Size of Individual Flower:  Smaller than a Quarter  

Sexuality:  Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit:    Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness at Maturity?   Dry

Shape of Fruit:    Winged    

Color of Fruit at Maturity:    Red    

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels?    Yes  

Unique Morphological Features of Plant:  The most Morphological feature of this plant is the thorns;  they help protect the plant. Also, the red berries it forms in the summer time are a unique feature.

Is the Plant Poisonous:   None of Plant

Pesky Plant (weedy, hard to control)?   No

Common Name(s):  Red Barberry and Japanese Barberry

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One:  American Barberry (Berberis Canadensis)

Page prepared by:

Sean Greschel

Fall 2005