common barberry
Ranunculales > Berberidaceae > Berberis vulgaris L
Synonym(s): beet, epine-vinette, epine-vinette commune, European barberry, vinetteier
Common barberry is a deciduous shrub that can reach 13 ft. (4 m) in height. The leaves are oval, 3/4-2 in. (2-5 cm) long, 1/4-3/4 in. (1-2 cm) wide, serrate and occur in clusters of 2-5. Each cluster of leaves is subtended by a short, three-branched spine. Flowering occurs in May to June, when small, yellow, less than 1/4 in. (6 mm) wide flowers develop in panicles. Berries are red, oblong and less than 1/3 in. (10 mm) in length. Common barberry is native to central and southern Europe and occurs in shaded areas.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

  • Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
    http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/common-barberry.pdf - Nov 7, 2006

Selected Images

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Number:5270043
Description: Foliage;
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5270042
Description: Flower(s);
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5270045
Description: Feature(s); Close-up of spines
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 
Number:5270044
Description: Feature(s); Branch Morphology - B. vulgaris, top; Hybrid, middle; B. thunbergii, bottom
Photographer:Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut
 Additional Resolutions and Image Usage
 

External Links

Invasive Reference(s)

Subject Reference(s)

  • USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. - http://plants.usda.gov/