Japanese barberry
Family
BerberidaceaeScientific Name
Berberis thunbergiiSynonyms (former Scientific Names):
Berberis thunbergii var. atropurpurea
Habit
Shrub with thorns from Japan that can invade pastures, forests, and roadsides.
Leaves
Spatulate to obovate (oval that taper at the base) leaves that are alternate. Leaves taper towards the petioles and are 0.5 to 2.5 cm long and 5-15 mm wide.
Identifying Characteristics
Shrub with red berries and leaves that taper towards the base. Has mostly simple thorns but sometimes thorns that branch.
Flower Seed Head
Flowers are solitary or occur in small clusters. They are red and about 1 cm wide.
Seed Fruit
Red berries that are about 1 cm wide.
Where Found
Found in roadsides, pastures, woodlands, and thickets.
Growth Habit
woody bush or tree
Thorns or Spines
present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
yellow
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
oval,
spatulate
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
taproot
Life Cycle
perennial
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Shrub