Japanese Barberry: Difference between revisions

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'''Berberis thunbergii''' [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=BETH USDA], [[wikipedia:Berberis_thunbergii|Wikipedia]], [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/berberis/thunbergii/ GoBotany], [https://cisma-suasco.org/invasive/japanese-barberry/ CISMA] ]
'''Berberis thunbergii''' [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=BETH USDA] - [https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/terrestrial/plants/japanese-barberry NISIC], [[wikipedia:Berberis_thunbergii|Wikipedia]], [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/berberis/thunbergii/ GoBotany], [https://cisma-suasco.org/invasive/japanese-barberry/ CISMA] ]
[[File:Berberis thunbergii (thorns).jpg|right|frameless|300x300px]]
[[File:Berberis thunbergii (thorns).jpg|right|frameless|300x300px]]
Japanese Barberry is a small deciduous shrub from 2-4 ft. tall (although a 10 ft. tall shrub was found growing in the edge of the Grassy Pond meadow). The thin, grooved branches have paddle-shapped leaves up to 1 in. long, and thin, straight spines on every node.  The pale-yellow flowers occur in drooping clusters of 2-5 and develop in mid-spring to early summer.  The berries ripen to a bright red color in late summer and are 0.25-0.3 in. long.  The wood of the Japanese Barberry stem and roots is a brilliant yellow.
Japanese Barberry is a small deciduous shrub from 2-4 ft. tall (although a 10 ft. tall shrub was found growing in the edge of the Grassy Pond meadow). The thin, grooved branches have paddle-shapped leaves up to 1 in. long, and thin, straight spines on every node.  The pale-yellow flowers occur in drooping clusters of 2-5 and develop in mid-spring to early summer.  The berries ripen to a bright red color in late summer and are 0.25-0.3 in. long.  The wood of the Japanese Barberry stem and roots is a brilliant yellow.
[[File:Berberis thunbergii in Pennwood State Park.jpg|left|frameless|300x300px]]
[[File:Berberis thunbergii fruits.JPG|frameless|300x300px|left]]
While this plant isn't as aggressive as other invasive plants, it is very shade-tolerant and can form dense stands which shade out and displace native species.
While this plant isn't as aggressive as other invasive plants, it is very shade-tolerant and can form dense stands which shade out and displace native species.


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== Common Mis-identifications ==
== Common Mis-identifications ==
It may be confused with [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/berberis/vulgaris/ Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)] [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=BEVU USDA], [[wikipedia:Berberis_vulgaris|Wikipedia]] ]. Serrated leaves, juicy berries, and three pronged spikes differentiate this species from Japanese Barberry.  It was largely eliminated in an extermination effort in the 20th century due to being a carrier of wheat rust.  This species hybridizes with Japanese Barberry.
[[File:"Fight Wheat Rust...The Common Barberry Spreads Wheat Rust...It's a case of Barberry or Bread..." - NARA - 512602.jpg|frameless|350x350px|right]]
[[File:Berberis thunbergii fruits.JPG|right|frameless|300x300px]]
It may be confused with [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/berberis/vulgaris/ Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)] [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=BEVU USDA], [[wikipedia:Berberis_vulgaris|Wikipedia]] ]. Serrated leaves, juicy berries, and three pronged spikes differentiate this species from Japanese Barberry.  It was largely eliminated in an extermination effort in the 20th century due to being a carrier of wheat rust, but has been seen in Nashoba Brook and Nagog Hill Conservation areas.  This species hybridizes with Japanese Barberry, and is also an invasive plant species.
[[File:Berberis thunbergii in Pennwood State Park.jpg|left|frameless|300x300px]]
It is less likely to be confused with the following, as they don't have thorns:
It is less likely to be confused with the following, as they don't have thorns:


* [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/ilex/verticillata/ Common Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)] [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ilve USDA], [[wikipedia:Ilex_verticillata|Wikipedia]] ]
* [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/ilex/verticillata/ Common Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)] [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=ilve USDA], [[wikipedia:Ilex_verticillata|Wikipedia]] ]
* [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/vaccinium/pallidum/ Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)] [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=vapa4 USDA], [[wikipedia:Vaccinium_pallidum|Wikipedia]] ]
* [https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/vaccinium/pallidum/ Hillside Blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum)] [ [https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=vapa4 USDA], [[wikipedia:Vaccinium_pallidum|Wikipedia]] ]

Latest revision as of 01:20, 2 October 2024

Berberis thunbergii [ USDA - NISIC, Wikipedia, GoBotany, CISMA ]

Japanese Barberry is a small deciduous shrub from 2-4 ft. tall (although a 10 ft. tall shrub was found growing in the edge of the Grassy Pond meadow). The thin, grooved branches have paddle-shapped leaves up to 1 in. long, and thin, straight spines on every node. The pale-yellow flowers occur in drooping clusters of 2-5 and develop in mid-spring to early summer. The berries ripen to a bright red color in late summer and are 0.25-0.3 in. long. The wood of the Japanese Barberry stem and roots is a brilliant yellow.

While this plant isn't as aggressive as other invasive plants, it is very shade-tolerant and can form dense stands which shade out and displace native species.

Removal

Ideally, it should be uprooted. The roots are numerous and relatively short and shallow, making this possible.

Alternatively, it may be cut, but will require multiple cuttings to kill.

Protective Gloves should be worn when removing this plant, due to the long thin straight thorns.

Common Mis-identifications

It may be confused with Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) [ USDA, Wikipedia ]. Serrated leaves, juicy berries, and three pronged spikes differentiate this species from Japanese Barberry. It was largely eliminated in an extermination effort in the 20th century due to being a carrier of wheat rust, but has been seen in Nashoba Brook and Nagog Hill Conservation areas. This species hybridizes with Japanese Barberry, and is also an invasive plant species.

It is less likely to be confused with the following, as they don't have thorns: