Berberis

{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants representing the barberry family}} {{Redirect|Barberry|the luxury fashion house|Burberry}} {{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}} {{automatic taxobox |image = Berberis darwinii shoot.jpg |image_caption = ''Berberis darwinii'' shoot with flowers |image2 = Berberis thunb frt.jpg |image2_caption = ''Berberis thunbergii'' shoot with fruit |taxon = Berberis |authority = L. |subdivision_ranks = Species |subdivision = List of ''Berberis'' and ''Mahonia'' species |type_species = ''Berberis vulgaris'' |type_species_authority = L. }}

'''''Berberis''''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɜr|b|ər|ɪ|s}}), commonly known as '''barberry''',<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.forest.go.kr/kna/special/download/English_Names_for_Korean_Native_Plants.pdf|title=English Names for Korean Native Plants|publisher=Korea National Arboretum|year=2015|isbn=978-89-97450-98-5|location=Pocheon|pages=371|access-date=26 January 2017|via=Korea Forest Service|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525105020/http://www.forest.go.kr/kna/special/download/English_Names_for_Korean_Native_Plants.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Wedgwood|first=Hensleigh|author-link=Hensleigh Wedgwood|title=On False Etymologies|journal=Transactions of the Philological Society|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3924121;view=1up;seq=76|year=1855|issue=6|pages=66}}</ref> is a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from {{convert|1–5|m|ft|abbr=on|frac=2}} tall, found throughout temperate and subtropical 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-known ''Berberis'' species is the type species, ''B.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;aquifolium'' is the state flower of Oregon.

==Description== The genus ''Berberis'' has dimorphic shoots: long shoots which form the structure of the plant, and short shoots only {{convert|1–2|mm|abbr=on|frac=32}} long. Many species have spines on the shoots and all along the margins of the leaves.<ref name="eflorasorg1" /><ref>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=103816 Flora of China Vol. 19 Page 715 <big>小檗属</big> xiao bo shu ''Berberis'' Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 330. 1753. ]</ref> The leaves on long shoots are non-photosynthetic, developed into one to three or more spines<ref name=CStace>{{cite book|last=Stace|first=C. A.|author-link=Stace, C. A.|year=2010|title=New Flora of the British Isles|edition=Third|publisher=Cambridge University Press|location = Cambridge, U.K.|isbn=9780521707725|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c6IpngEACAAJ|page=96}}</ref> {{convert|3–30|mm|abbr=on|frac=8}} long. The bud in the axil of each thorn-leaf then develops a short shoot with several normal, photosynthetic leaves. These leaves are {{convert|1–10|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}} 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.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

Many deciduous species, such as ''Berberis thunbergii and B.&nbsp;vulgaris'', are noted for their attractive pink or red autumn colour. In some evergreen species from China, such as ''B.&nbsp;candidula and B.&nbsp;verruculosa'', the undersides of the leaves are brilliant white, a feature valued horticulturally. Some horticultural variants of ''B.&nbsp;thunbergii'' have dark red to violet foliage. Such as ''B.&nbsp;thunbergii'' f. ''atropurpurea'' 'Admiration',<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/226438/i-Berberis-thunbergii-i-f-i-atropurpurea-i-Admiration-sup-(PBR)-sup/Details |title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Berberis thunbergii'' f. ''atropurpurea'' 'Admiration' |publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref> and ''B.&nbsp;thunbergii'' f. ''atropurpurea'' 'Atropurpurea Nana'.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/90145/i-Berberis-thunbergii-i-f-i-atropurpurea-i-Atropurpurea-Nana/Details |title = RHS Plantfinder – ''Berberis thunbergii'' f. ''atropurpurea'' 'Atropurpurea Nana' | publisher = Royal Horticultural Society | access-date=21 January 2018}}</ref>

The flowers are produced singly or in racemes of up to 20 on a single flower-head. They are yellow or orange, {{convert|3–6|mm|abbr=on|frac=8}} long, sepals are usually six, rarely three or nine and there are six petals in alternating whorls of three, the sepals usually coloured like the petals. The fruit is a small berry {{convert|5–15|mm|abbr=on|frac=8}} 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.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

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 leaf pinnation (''Berberis sensu stricto'' appear to have simple leaves, but these are in reality compound with a single leaflet; they are termed "unifoliolate"<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Pabón-Mora|first1=Natalia|last2=González|first2=Favio|date=2012|title= Leaf development, metamorphic heteroblasty and heterophylly in ''Berberis s. l.'' (Berberidaceae)|journal=The Botanical Review|volume=78|issue=4|pages=463–489|doi= 10.1007/s12229-012-9107-2|bibcode=2012BotRv..78..463P |s2cid=15401971}}</ref>), and many botanists prefer to classify all these plants in the single genus ''Berberis''.<ref name="eflorasorg1">{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500229|title=''Berberis fremontii'' in Flora of North America @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org}}</ref><ref>Loconte, H., & J. R. Estes. 1989. Phylogenetic systematics of ''Berberidaceae'' and ''Ranunculales'' (Magnoliidae). ''Systematic Botany'' 14:565-579.</ref><ref>Marroquín, Jorge S., & Joseph E. Laferrière. 1997. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa from ''Mahonia'' to ''Berberis''. ''Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science'' 30(1):53-55.</ref><ref>Laferrière, Joseph E. 1997. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa from ''Mahonia'' to ''Berberis''. ''Botanicheskii Zhurnal'' 82(9):96-99.</ref> However, a DNA-based phylogenetic study retains the two separate genera, by clarifying that unifoliolate-leaved ''Berberis s.s.'' is derived from within a paraphyletic group of shrubs bearing imparipinnate evergreen leaves, which the paper then divides into three genera: ''Mahonia'', ''Alloberberis'' (formerly ''Mahonia'' section ''Horridae''), and ''Moranothamnus'' (formerly ''Berberis claireae''); it confirms that a broadly-circumscribed ''Berberis'' (that is, including ''Mahonia'', ''Alloberberis'', and ''Moranothamnus'') is monophyletic.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Yu|first1=Chih-Chieh|last2=Chung|first2=Kuo-Fang|date=1 December 2017|title=Why Mahonia? Molecular recircumscription of ''Berberis'' s.l., with the description of two new genera, ''Alloberberis'' and ''Moranothamnus''|journal=Taxon|volume=66|issue=6|pages=1371–1392 |doi=10.12705/666.6|bibcode=2017Taxon..66.1371Y }}</ref>

==Ecology== ''Berberis'' species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including the moths barberry carpet moth (''Pareulype berberata''), and mottled pug (''Eupithecia exiguata'').{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

''Berberis'' species can infect wheat with stem rust, a serious fungal disease of wheat and related grains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/biologists-spot-first-uk-case-of-ancient-crop-disease-in-uk-in-six-decades/|title=Biologists Spot First UK Case Of An Ancient Crop Disease In Six Decades|date=15 February 2018 }}</ref> ''Berberis vulgaris'' (European barberry) and ''Berberis canadensis'' (American barberry) serve as alternate host species of the rust fungus responsible, the fungus ''Puccinia graminis''. For this reason, cultivation of ''B.&nbsp;vulgaris'' is prohibited in many areas, and imports to the United States are forbidden. The North American ''B.&nbsp;canadensis'', native to Appalachia and the Midwestern U.S., was nearly eradicated for this reason, and is now rarely seen extant, with the most remaining occurrences in the Virginia mountains.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

Some ''Berberis'' species have become invasive when planted outside of their native ranges, including ''B.&nbsp;glaucocarpa'' and ''B.&nbsp;darwinii'' in New Zealand (where it is now banned from sale and propagation), as well as ''B.&nbsp;vulgaris'' and green-leaved ''B.&nbsp;thunbergii'' in much of the eastern U.S.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.popsci.com/avoid-ticks-forest |title = You're less likely to get a tick bite if you steer clear of these spots| date=11 May 2018 }}</ref>

==Cultivation== {{More citations needed section|date=January 2021}}

Several species of ''Berberis'' are favored as garden shrubs, grown for such features as ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, or red or blue-black berries. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been selected for garden use. Low-growing ''Berberis'' 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.

Species in cultivation include: * ''B. darwinii'' * ''B. dictyophylla'' * ''B. julianae'' * ''B. thunbergii'' * ''B. verruculosa''

The following hybrid selections have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: * ''B.'' 'Georgei'<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/21271/Berberis-Georgei/Details|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Berberis'' 'Georgei' AGM / RHS Gardening|publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> * ''B.'' × ''lologensis'' 'Apricot Queen'<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/77074/Berberis-x-lologensis-Apricot-Queen/Details|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Berberis'' × ''lologensis'' 'Apricot Queen' AGM / RHS Gardening|publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> * ''B.'' × ''media'' 'Red Jewel'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2173|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224182817/http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2173|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 24, 2012|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Berberis'' × ''media'' 'Red Jewel' AGM / RHS Gardening|publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk|access-date=2013-04-07}}</ref> <!-- AGM withdrawn *''B.'' × ''ottawensis'' f. ''purpurea'' 'Superba'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2174|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Berberis'' × ''ottawensis'' f. purpurea 'Superba' / RHS Gardening|publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk|access-date=2013-04-07}}</ref>--> * ''B.'' × ''stenophylla'' 'Corallina Compacta'<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91440/Berberis-x-stenophylla-Corallina-Compacta/Details|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Berberis'' × ''stenophylla'' 'Corallina Compacta' AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref> * ''B.'' × ''stenophylla'' (golden barberry)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/93438/Berberis-x-stenophylla-Lindl/Details|title=RHS Plant Selector ''Berberis'' × ''stenophylla'' Lindl. AGM / RHS Gardening |publisher=Apps.rhs.org.uk|access-date=2020-04-17}}</ref>

==Uses==

=== Culinary === thumb|Crispy Brussels sprouts with barberries on top

''Berberis vulgaris'' grows in the wild in much of Europe and West Asia. It produces large crops of edible berries, rich in vitamin 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 is Iran, where they are referred to as ''zereshk'' ({{lang|fa|زرشک}}) in Persian. The berries are common in Persian cuisine in rice dishes, such as ''zereshk polo'' (a dish of rice cooked in the Persian style with saffron and barberries, often served with chicken) and ''morassa 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 of pectin (especially with mixed berries). An extract of barberries is a common flavoring for soft drinks, candies, and sweets.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

''Berberis aquifolium'' (Oregon grape) was traditionally eaten in small quantities by Pacific Northwest tribes of North America.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Spellenberg |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/nationalaudubons00spel/page/410/ |title=National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region |publisher=Knopf |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-375-40233-3 |edition=rev |pages=410–11 |orig-date=1979}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Plants of Coastal British Columbia: including Washington, Oregon & Alaska, rev. ed. |editor1-last=Pojar |editor1-first=Jim |editor2-last=MacKinnon |editor2-first=Andy |year=1994 |publisher=Lone Pine Publishing |location=Vancouver |isbn=978-1-55105-532-9 |page=95 }}</ref>

''Berberis microphylla'' and ''B. darwinii'' (both known as ''calafate'' and ''michay'') are two species found in Patagonia in Argentina and Chile. Their edible purple fruit are used for jams and infusions.{{Cn|date=February 2021}}

=== Traditional medicine and adverse effects=== The dried fruit of ''B. vulgaris'' is used in herbal medicine. The chemical constituents include isoquinoline alkaloids, especially berberine. A full list of phytochemicals was compiled and published in 2014.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Saeidnia | first1 = Soodabeh | last2 = Gohari | first2 = Ahmadreza | last3 = Kurepaz-Mahmoodabadi | first3 = Mahdieh | last4 = Mokhber-Dezfuli | first4 = Najmeh | title = Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Berberis Species | journal = Pharmacognosy Reviews | date = 2014 | volume = 8 | issue = 15 | pages = 8–15 | doi = 10.4103/0973-7847.125517 | doi-access = free | pmid = 24600191 | pmc = 3931204 }}</ref> The safety of using berberine for any condition is not adequately defined by high-quality clinical research.<ref name="drugs">{{cite web |date=10 February 2025 |title=Barberry |url=https://www.drugs.com/npp/barberry.html |access-date=21 August 2025 |publisher=Drugs.com}}</ref> Its potential for causing adverse effects is high, including untoward interactions with prescription drugs, reducing the intended effect of established therapies.<ref name=drugs/> Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fainting are possible effects, particularly with high doses.<ref name=drugs/> It is particularly unsafe for use during pregnancy.<ref name=drugs/>

=== Other uses === Historically, yellow dye was extracted from the stem, root, and bark.<ref>{{cite encyclopaedia|first=C.|last=Tomlinson|chapter=''Berberis''|title=Tomlinson's Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts|year=1866|publisher=Virtue & Co.|location=London|volume=I|page=97 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Weiss|first=Daniel|date=July–August 2017|title=From the Trenches|journal=Archaeology|volume=70|number=4|pages=9–22 |jstor=26348971 }}</ref>

The acidic young leaves are sometimes chewed for refreshment by parched hikers.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Angier|first=Bradford|url=https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetoedib00angi/page/28/mode/2up|title=Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=1974|isbn=0-8117-0616-8|location=Harrisburg, PA|page=28|oclc=799792|author-link=Bradford Angier }}</ref>

==In culture== Oregon grape is the state flower of Oregon.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sos.oregon.gov/blue-book/Pages/facts/almanac/d-h.aspx |title=State Symbols: Dance to Hops - Flower, State |year=2021 |work=Oregon Blue Book |publisher=Oregon Secretary of State |access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery> File:Berberis-aggregata.JPG|''Berberis aggregata'' fruit File:BerberisAculeata.jpg|''B. aristata'', from the Himalayas File:Berberis gagnepainii thorn.jpg|''B. gagnepainii'' with {{convert|20|mm|abbr=on|adj=on|frac=8}} thorn-leaves File:Berberis gagnepainii flowers.jpg|''B. gagnepainii'' flowers, {{convert|7|mm|in|abbr=on|frac=8}} wide File:Berberis gagnepainii fruit.jpg|''B. gagnepainii'' fruit File:Berberis prattii1.jpg|''B. prattii'' fruit File:Berberis-thunbergii.JPG|''B. thunbergii'' shrub File:Berberis valdiviana 120502-2.jpg|''B. valdiviana'', flowers from Chile (cultivated in the UK) File:Berberis verruculosa leaves.jpg|''B. verruculosa'', upper side of shoot above, lower side below File:Berberis-vulgaris-flowers.jpg|''B. vulgaris'' flowers and foliage, cultivated in Denmark File:Barberry blossom in Eastern Siberia.jpg|Barberry blossom in Eastern Siberia </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikisource1911Enc|Barberry}} *{{Commons inline|italic=on}} *{{Wikispecies inline|''Berberis''}} *{{Cookbook inline|Barberry}}

{{Berberidaceae genera}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q158503}}

Category:Berberis Category:Berberidaceae genera Category:Berries Category:CYP3A4 inhibitors Category:Plants used in bonsai Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus