Barberry
ExplorePlants
Barberry
Berberis vulgaris
Barberry is a thorny shrub with small yellow flowers that grow into red berries. It is often used in gardens for its colorful foliage and as a natural barrier to keep animals away.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Barberry has thorny stems with small oval leaves that can be green or reddish-purple, often turning fiery red in fall. It blooms with clusters of small, dangling yellow flowers in spring, followed by bright red, oblong berries that ripen by late summer.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyBerberidaceaeGenusBerberis
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Barberry berries are packed with Vitamin C, making them super healthy for you!
Its flowers have special 'trap-doors' that snap open to spread pollen when touched!
Its roots and bark can make a bright yellow dye, used for centuries!
Some Barberry plants can live for over 100 years, a true survivor!
Special abilities
Ability
Thorn Shield
Barberry has sharp thorns along its stems that protect it from hungry animals wanting to eat its leaves.
Ability
Berry Broadcaster
Barberry's bright red berries attract birds, which eat them and help spread its seeds far and wide.
Ability
Nature's Dye Pot
Barberry roots and bark contain a compound that humans can use to create a vibrant yellow dye.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Spread
- 100-250 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from flowers
eaten by
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula
eats the nutritious ripe berries
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
browses its leaves and young twigs
shelters
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula
builds nests within its thorny branches
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Thorny Stem
Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
Fall Color
Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
BarberriesCommon BarberryEuropean Barberry
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Be careful around the sharp thorns of the barberry shrub to avoid getting scratched.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Barberry?
100-300 cm
How wide does Barberry spread?
100-250 cm
How big are the flowers on Barberry?
0.5-1 cm
When does Barberry bloom?
Spring
Is Barberry edible?
Yes
Is Barberry toxic?
Mild
What is Barberry's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Barberry pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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