Family: Berberidaceae
Japanese barberry
Robert Bierman
Kenneth J. Sytsma
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Berberis: the Latinized form of the Arabic name for the fruit
Plants: perennial, spiny shrub to 8' with many branches
Leaves: mostly with smooth edges
Flowers: yellow, petals notched; solitary or in clusters (umbel-like) of 5-10 flowers
Invasiveness: Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive
Plants: perennial, spiny shrub to 8' with many branches
Leaves: mostly with smooth edges
Flowers: yellow, petals notched; solitary or in clusters (umbel-like) of 5-10 flowers
Invasiveness: Invasive - Eradicate!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; ecologically invasive
Introduced from Asia and escaped to forests of oak-red maple, oak-hickory, sugar maple-basswood, pine-oak, maple-fir-cedar, and coniferous woods on the dolomitic shores of Lake Michigan; also found in cedar swamps, fens, and hardwood swamps, often on drier hummocks. Readily invades fields, sand dunes, sandstone and limestone cliffs, prairies, and along railroads and roadsides.
First collected in 1940, this species is widely planted, with numerous cultivars having red or pink leaves. Dried leaves of this species will sometimes have wavy margins, leading some to misidentify such specimens as B. vulgaris, but they will always lack the obvious sharp teeth of that species. Young, vigorous shoots often have leaves with very long petioles.
First collected in 1940, this species is widely planted, with numerous cultivars having red or pink leaves. Dried leaves of this species will sometimes have wavy margins, leading some to misidentify such specimens as B. vulgaris, but they will always lack the obvious sharp teeth of that species. Young, vigorous shoots often have leaves with very long petioles.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FACU- WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods Invasive And Exotic Species of North America: Descriptions, management issues, warnings, photos, etc. University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Landscape Plants of the Upper Midwest; UW-Extension: Note: INVASIVE. Interactive guide providing information on cultivation including: soil, zone, growth rate, landscape uses, pruning, light requirements; with photos and Latin name pronounciation
Kenneth J. Sytsma
Paul Skawinski
Robert W. Freckmann
Christopher Noll
Dennis W. Woodland
S. Kelly Kearns
Aaron_Carlson