SafePlants

Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

The Japanese Barberry, known scientifically as Berberis thunbergii, is a deciduous shrub appreciated for its form, flowers, and fruit, but also recognized for its invasive potential in certain regions. It is also commonly referred to as Thunberg's barberry or Red barberry.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Berberis thunbergii DC.
• Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native Range: Japan and eastern Asia (including Korea).
• Introduced to North America in the 1870s.
• Now found from Nova Scotia south to North Carolina, and westward.

Ecological Role

• Considered an invasive species in many areas.
• Poses a threat to open and second-growth forests.
• Can escape from cultivation and invade natural areas.

Morphological Characteristics

• Deciduous shrub, typically growing to 2-8 feet (0.6-2.4 meters) tall.
• Described as a dense, spiny shrub with arching branches.
• Branches have thin, grooved features and straight spines.
• Leaves are small and oval-shaped, sometimes tinted green or blue.
• Leaves are alternately arranged, simple, entire, and spatulate.
• Yellow flowers bloom in May.
• Produces red fruit.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• New research suggests a link between Japanese barberry and Lyme disease, potentially related to blacklegged tick abundance.

Additional Information

• Once used ornamentally, as a living fence, and for wildlife and erosion control.
• Some cultivars have purple leaves (e.g., 'Crimson Pygmy').
• The Michigan Natural Features Inventory and USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center provide further information.
• The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) also offers information on Berberis thunbergii.