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Berberis thunbergii - DC.

Common Name Japanese Barberry
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range E. Asia - C. and S. Japan
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Berberis thunbergii Japanese Barberry


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Berberis thunbergii Japanese Barberry
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Summary

Bloom Color: White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Berberis thunbergii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[105, 177]. Dry with a very poor flavour[K]. The fruits are about 8mm long[200]. Leaves - cooked.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antibacterial  Antiseptic  Cancer  Dysentery  Febrifuge

The root bark is anthelmintic, antiseptic and febrifuge[178]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[218]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Hedge  Hedge

Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge[29]. They are very tolerant of trimming and have prickles which make them an effective barrier to larger creatures[K]. The cultivar 'Atropurpurea Nana' can be used for ground cover[208]. It makes a dense covering when planted 30cm apart each way[208]. A yellow dye is obtained from the root and branches[178]. An Ornamental plant.

Special Uses

Ground cover  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Erosion control, Foundation, Pest tolerant, Hedge, Massing, Rock garden, Standard, Superior hedge, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[11, 200]. Prefers a lime-free soil according to one report[182]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[11, 200]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[184]. A commonly grown ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[182]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[200]. Unlike most other members of this genus, this plant does not usually hybridize with other species[67]. An alternate host of 'black-stem rust' of wheat so it has been extensively grubbed up from its habitats. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[78]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[78], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[80]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[113]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Fairly easy[11]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[78]. Fairly easy[11]

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Japanese barberry. French: vinettier de thunberg. Finland: Japaninhappomarja. Germany: Japanischer Sauerdorn; Thunbergs Berberitze. Italy: berberis. Netherlands: Japanse berberis; zuurbes. Poland: berberys thungerga. Sweden: häckberberis; haeckberberis.

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Noxious Weed Information: US: Connecticut (Japanese barberry): Invasive, not banned. Massachusetts (Japanese barberry): Prohibited. Michigan (Berberis): Prohibited. A significant threat to natural areas due to its popularity as a landscape shrub, ability to tolerate full shade, and the dispersal of its prolific seeds by birds. B. thunbergii is shade tolerant and has invaded closed canopy forests, such as in parts of north-eastern USA [1d].

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

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Berberis angulosaLarge-Flowered BarberryShrub1.0 5-9  LMHSNDM321
Berberis aristataChitra, Indian Barberry or Tree TurmericShrub3.5 5-9 MLMHSNDM433
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Berberis buxifoliaMagellan BarberryShrub2.5 4-8  LMHSNDM423
Berberis calliantha Shrub0.7 6-9  LMHSNDM22 
Berberis canadensisAllegheny Barberry, American barberryShrub1.8 4-8 MLMHSNDM321
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Berberis concinna Shrub1.0 4-8  LMHSNDM221
Berberis cooperi Shrub1.5 4-8  LMHSNM321
Berberis darwiniiDarwin's Barberry, Darwin's berberisShrub3.0 7-9 MLMHSNM423
Berberis empetrifolia Shrub0.3 6-9  LMHSNDM221
Berberis everstiana Shrub1.5 4-8  LMHSNDM221
Berberis fendleriColorado BarberryShrub1.5 5-9  LMHSNDM221
Berberis flexuosa Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM121
Berberis gagnepainii Shrub2.4 4-8  LMHSNDM223
Berberis georgiiBarberryShrub3.0 3-7 MLMHSNDM321
Berberis heterophylla Shrub1.5 7-10  LMHSNDM121
Berberis jaeschkeana Shrub0.8 -  LMHSNDM121
Berberis koreanaKorean Barberry, BarberryShrub1.5 3-7 MLMHSNDM121
Berberis lycium Shrub3.0 5-9 MLMHSNDM331
Berberis parisepala Shrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNDM221
Berberis rariflora Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM221
Berberis rubrostilla Shrub1.5 5-9  LMHSNDM321
Berberis ruscifolia Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM221
Berberis sherriffii Shrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNDM121
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

DC.

Botanical References

1158200

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