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Japanese barberry

Berberis thunbergii

Japanese barberry is a small, colorful shrub with bright yellow flowers and red berries. It has sharp thorns that help protect it from animals. This plant is often used in gardens for its pretty colors!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Japanese barberry is a dense, spiny shrub with arching branches and small, spoon-shaped leaves that turn brilliant red, orange, or purple in fall. It produces tiny yellow-orange flowers and bright red, oval berries that often persist through winter, standing out against its sharp thorns.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyBerberidaceaeGenusBerberis
Japanese barberry
deciduous trait badgeornamental trait badgeshrub trait badgespring_blooming trait badge
Japanese barberry

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

In some places, Japanese barberry is an invasive species, outcompeting native plants!

Its wood is very hard and was once used to make tool handles!

Some varieties of Japanese barberry don't even have thorns!

The name "barberry" comes from an Arabic word for "shell," referring to its shiny leaves!

Special abilities

Ability

Winter Feast

Its bright red berries stay on the branches all winter, providing crucial food for birds when other sources are scarce.

Ability

Tough Roots

Japanese barberry can grow in many different soil types, even poor ones, helping it survive in tough spots.

Ability

Spreading Seeds

Birds eat its persistent berries and spread the seeds far and wide, helping new barberry plants grow.

Measurements & details

Height
60-200 cm
Spread
60-200 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Be careful of the sharp thorns when touching this plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Japanese barberry?

60-200 cm

How wide does Japanese barberry spread?

60-200 cm

How big are the flowers on Japanese barberry?

0.5-1 cm

When does Japanese barberry bloom?

Spring

Is Japanese barberry edible?

Yes

Is Japanese barberry toxic?

Mild

What is Japanese barberry's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Japanese barberry pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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