Hubbry Logo
logo
Berberis vulgaris
Community hub

Berberis vulgaris

logo
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something to knowledge base
Hub AI

Berberis vulgaris AI simulator

(@Berberis vulgaris_simulator)

Berberis vulgaris

Berberis vulgaris, also known as common barberry, European barberry or simply barberry, is a shrub in the genus Berberis native to the Old World. It produces edible but sharply acidic berries, which people in many countries eat as a tart and refreshing fruit.

It is a deciduous shrub growing up to 4 metres (13 feet) high. The leaves are small, oval, 2–5 centimetres (34–2 inches) long and 1–2 cm (1234 in) broad, with a serrated margin; they are borne in clusters of 2–5 together, subtended by a three-branched spine 3–8 millimetres (18516 in) long.

The flowers are yellow, 4–6 mm (1814 in) across, produced on 3–6 cm (1+182+38 in) long panicles in late spring. The fruit is an oblong red berry 7–10 mm (1438 in) long and 3–5 mm (18316 in) broad, ripening in late summer or autumn. Its fruit persists for an average of 29.2 days, and bears an average of 1.3 seeds per fruit. Fruits average 76% water, and their dry weight includes 6.5% carbohydrates and 1.2% lipids.

As of March 2024, Plants of the World Online accepted three subspecies:

The shrub is native to central and southern Europe, southern England, northwest Africa and western Asia; it is also naturalised in northern Europe and North America. In the United States and Canada, it has become established in the wild over an area from Nova Scotia to Nebraska, with additional populations in Colorado, Idaho, Washington state, Montana, and British Columbia. It is also cultivated in many countries.

The berries are an important food for many small birds, which disperse the seeds in their droppings.

B. vulgaris is the alternate host species of the wheat stem rust fungus (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici), a grass-infecting rust fungus that is a serious fungal disease of wheat and related grains. For this reason, cultivation of B. vulgaris is prohibited in Canada and some areas of the US (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Hampshire).

The edible berries, though rich in vitamin C, have a very sharp or sour flavour and are not widely consumed because the thorny shrubs make them difficult to harvest.

See all
species of plant
User Avatar
No comments yet.