Plant Family: Berberidaceae
Growth Form: Compact spiny shrub with dense foliage.
Leaves: Simple, paddle-shaped, found in groups of 2 to 6 at each leaf node along with a single sharp spine.
Bark: Light brown and rough, the inner bark is bright yellow.
Flowers: Pale yellow, with 6 petals, in short clusters, each flower has its own stalk, April to May.
Fruits: Glossy red ovoid berries, each on its own stalk, edible; August into winter.
Habitat: Spreads from cultivation to fields, fencerows, other open habitats.
Range: The native range is East Asia; it is found throughout New England and much of the eastern United States and Canada.
Similar Species: Common Barberry leaves have bristly teeth on the margins, there are three spines at the leaf nodes, and the flowers and fruits are grouped on hanging racemes.
Comments: Japanese Barberry was first brought to North America in the late 19th century as an ornamental. It is listed as invasive in all New England states. The specific name honors Carl Peter Thunberg (1743 – 1828), Swedish naturalist, who visited Japan in the early 19th century.
