Berberis (/ˈbɜːrbərɪs/), commonly known asbarberry,[1][2] is a large genus ofdeciduous andevergreen shrubs from 1–5 m (3+1⁄2–16+1⁄2 ft) tall, found throughouttemperate andsubtropical regions of the world (apart from Australia). Species diversity is greatest in South America and Asia, but native species also appear in Europe, Africa and North America.
The best-knownBerberis species is thetype species,B. vulgaris (European barberry), which is common in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia; it has also been widely introduced in North America. Additionally,B. aquifolium is the state flower ofOregon.
The genusBerberis has dimorphic shoots: long shoots which form the structure of the plant, and short shoots only1–2 mm (1⁄32–3⁄32 in) long. Many species havespines on the shoots and all along the margins of theleaves.[3][4] The leaves on long shoots are non-photosynthetic, developed into one to three or more spines[5]3–30 mm (1⁄8–1+1⁄8 in) long. The bud in theaxil of each thorn-leaf then develops a short shoot with several normal, photosynthetic leaves. These leaves are1–10 cm (1⁄2–4 in) long, simple, and either entire, or with spiny margins. Only on young seedlings do leaves develop on the long shoots, with the adult foliage style developing after the young plant is 1–2 years old.[citation needed]
Many deciduous species, such asBerberis thunbergii andB. vulgaris, are noted for their attractive pink or red autumn colour. In some evergreen species from China, such asB. candidula andB. verruculosa, the undersides of the leaves are brilliant white, a feature valued horticulturally. Some horticultural variants ofB. thunbergii have dark red to violet foliage. Such asB. thunbergii f.atropurpurea 'Admiration',[6] andB. thunbergii f.atropurpurea 'Atropurpurea Nana'.[7]
The flowers are produced singly or inracemes of up to 20 on a single flower-head. They are yellow or orange,3–6 mm (1⁄8–1⁄4 in) long,sepals are usually six, rarely three or nine and there are sixpetals in alternating whorls of three, the sepals usually coloured like the petals. The fruit is a smallberry5–15 mm (1⁄4–5⁄8 in) long, ripening red or dark blue, often with a pink or violet waxy surface bloom; in some species, they may be long and narrow, but are spherical in other species.[citation needed]
Some authors regard the compound-leaved species as belonging to a different genus,Mahonia. There are no consistent differences between the two groups other than the leafpinnation (Berberis sensu stricto appear to have simple leaves, but these are in reality compound with a single leaflet; they are termed "unifoliolate"[8]), and many botanists prefer to classify all these plants in the single genusBerberis.[3][9][10][11] However, aDNA-basedphylogenetic study retains the two separate genera, by clarifying that unifoliolate-leavedBerberis s.s. is derived from within aparaphyletic group of shrubs bearing imparipinnate evergreen leaves, which the paper then divides into three genera:Mahonia,Alloberberis (formerlyMahonia sectionHorridae), andMoranothamnus (formerlyBerberis claireae); it confirms that a broadly-circumscribedBerberis (that is, includingMahonia,Alloberberis, andMoranothamnus) ismonophyletic.[12]
Berberis species can infect wheat withstem rust, a serious fungal disease of wheat and related grains.[13]Berberis vulgaris (European barberry) andBerberis canadensis (American barberry) serve as alternate host species of therust fungus responsible, the fungusPuccinia graminis. For this reason, cultivation ofB. vulgaris is prohibited in many areas, and imports to the United States are forbidden. The North AmericanB. canadensis, native toAppalachia and theMidwestern U.S., was nearly eradicated for this reason, and is now rarely seen extant, with the most remaining occurrences in theVirginia mountains.[citation needed]
SomeBerberis species have becomeinvasive when planted outside of their native ranges, includingB. glaucocarpa andB. darwinii in New Zealand (where it is now banned from sale and propagation), as well asB. vulgaris and green-leavedB. thunbergii in much of the eastern U.S.[citation needed]
Japanese barberry is considered an invasive plant in 32 US states. It is deer-resistant because of its taste and is favored as a shelter for ticks capable of transmitting lyme disease.[14]
Several species ofBerberis are favored as garden shrubs, grown for such features as ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, or red or blue-black berries. Numerouscultivars andhybrids have been selected for garden use. Low-growingBerberis plants are also commonly planted as pedestrian barriers. Taller-growing species are valued for crime prevention; being dense and viciously spiny, they are effective barriers to burglars; accordingly, they may be planted below vulnerable windows, and used as hedges. Many species are resistant to predation by deer.
Berberis vulgaris grows in the wild in much of Europe and West Asia. It produces large crops of edible berries, rich invitamin C, but with a sharp acid flavor. In Europe, for many centuries the berries were used for culinary purposes much as citrus peel is used. The country in which they are used the most isIran, where they are referred to aszereshk (زرشک) inPersian. The berries are common inPersian cuisine in rice dishes, such aszereshk polo (a dish of rice cooked in the Persian style with saffron and barberries, often served with chicken) andmorassa polo (literal translation "bejewelled rice", an opulent dish of rice with barberries and slivers of pistachio, almond, and orange peel) and as a flavouring for poultry. Because of their sour flavor, they are sometimes cooked with sugar before being added to Persian rice. Iranian markets sell dried zereshk. By virtue of their limited availability, specialised growing conditions, and the complexity of the harvesting process, they are considered expensive and so are served in the finest of Persian dishes. In Russia and Eastern Europe, it is sometimes used in jams as a source ofpectin (especially with mixed berries). An extract of barberries is a common flavoring for soft drinks, candies, and sweets.[citation needed]
Its potential for causingadverse effects is high, including untoward interactions withprescription drugs, reducing the intended effect of established therapies.[23] Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fainting are possible effects, particularly with high doses.[23] It is particularly unsafe for use during pregnancy.[23]
Historically, yellow dye was extracted from the stem, root, and bark.[24]
The thorns of the barberry shrub have been used to clean ancient gold coins, as they are soft enough that they will not damage the surface but will remove corrosion and debris.[25]
The acidic young leaves are sometimes chewed for refreshment by parched hikers.[26]
^Loconte, H., & J. R. Estes. 1989. Phylogenetic systematics ofBerberidaceae andRanunculales (Magnoliidae).Systematic Botany 14:565-579.
^Marroquín, Jorge S., & Joseph E. Laferrière. 1997. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa fromMahonia toBerberis.Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 30(1):53-55.
^Laferrière, Joseph E. 1997. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa fromMahonia toBerberis.Botanicheskii Zhurnal 82(9):96-99.
^Yu, Chih-Chieh; Chung, Kuo-Fang (1 December 2017). "Why Mahonia? Molecular recircumscription ofBerberis s.l., with the description of two new genera,Alloberberis andMoranothamnus".Taxon.66 (6):1371–1392.Bibcode:2017Taxon..66.1371Y.doi:10.12705/666.6.
^Pojar, Jim; MacKinnon, Andy, eds. (1994).Plants of Coastal British Columbia: including Washington, Oregon & Alaska, rev. ed. Vancouver: Lone Pine Publishing. p. 95.ISBN978-1-55105-532-9.
^ Mokhber-Dezfuli N, Saeidnia S, Gohari AR, Kurepaz-Mahmoodabadi M. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of berberis species. Pharmacogn Rev. 2014;8(15):8–15. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.125517
^abcd"Barberry". Drugs.com. 10 February 2025. Retrieved21 August 2025.
