Japanese barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Family: Berberidaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1.2-1.8 m tall. It is spiny and loses its leaves during the year. It spreads 1.8-2.5 m wide. The leaves are small and neatly rounded. The leaves turn bright red or orange in autumn. The flowers are straw coloured with dull red stripes. They are small and bell shaped. The fruit are small oval berries which turn scarlet. Several named varieties occur.
There are about 450-500 Berberis species. This one can become invasive.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It is native to Japan. It suits light to medium well-drained soils. It is resistant to drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Arboretum Tasmania. Burnie Rhodo gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Canada, China, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Slovenia, Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
CAUTION: Plants in this group are slightly poisonous. The fruit are eaten fresh and used for jams and jellies. They are also dried.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. The hardwood cuttings are taken in winter.
Its other names
Local names
Riben Xiaobo, Thunbergov češmin