Japanese barberry
(Berberis thunbergii)
Biological Category
Plants
NY Legal Status
Prohibited
Species Type
Shrub or woody bush
DESCRIPTION
Japanese barberry is a member of the Barberry family (Berberidaceae).
It is a deciduous, compact, thorny shrub that is easily identified by its small, narrowly oval leaves and conspicuous spines. The roots of the plant are shallow but are very tough. The shape of the smooth-edged leaves vary between oval to spatulate, and are clustered in tight groups close to the branch. The leaves are arranged in small rosettes along the length of the shrub’s arching stems. A single, very sharp spine sits beneath each cluster of leaves.
Pale yellow to whitish flowers emerge in late April or May in the Hudson Valley and are generally borne in drooping clusters along the length of the stem — although they can occur singly. In the fall bright red oval fruits (0.3-0.5 inches long) hang along the length of its stems and are a good species identifier.
Note: Research for these pages was generated from citations listed. References for specific statements available upon request.
Leaves: Small, spoon-shaped leaves with a smooth edge. Each leaf cluster contains a single needle-like thorn
Flower: Small white to yellow flowers dangle along the branches May-June.
Fruit: Small oblong/oval red berries persist throughout the winter
Growth Form: Dense compact, multi-stemmed shrub with arching branches
Introduced via the horticultural trade in the late 1800s, Japanese barberry appears to have become naturalized at the turn of the 20th century, after it escaped from intentional plantings in gardens. The species is now reported as extant in 38 states.
Japanese barberry is tolerant of a variety of soil types in full sun to shade. Although the species is strongly associated with anthropogenic disturbance, this invasive is capable of establishing under a closed canopy. In the Hudson Valley, Japanese barberry is commonly seen in waste places such as roadsides, shrub thickets, and disturbed woodlands and readily adapts to high acidity environments and low fertility and shallow soils, although it prefers mesic sites. Japanese barberry tolerates a wide range of climatic and environmental characteristics and easily spreads into new habitats, far from its original source, via birds. Preferential herbivory on competing shrubs by deer may give Japanese barberry a competitive edge in Hudson Valley habitats.
Japanese barberry is capable of copious seed production, even when light levels are low. In some reports, over twelve thousand seeds can occur on a single plant with upwards of 90% of these seeds germinating. Although the majority of seeds fall within 10 meters of the parent plant, turkey, grouse and other woodland birds have been observed to eat Japanese barberry’s fruit, suggesting the possibility that long distance dispersal is relatively common. This species also spreads locally via rhizome sprouts and layering. Vectors include birds, small mammals and horticultural trade.
Due to Japanese barberry’s prolific seed production, this invasive shrub rapidly achieves understory dominance. More than simply homogenizing the subcanopy layer, however, this Chinese and Japanese native has wide ranging effects on natural processes such as nitrogen soil accumulation and leaf litter decomposition. Studies suggest Japanese barberry promulgates a range of novel environmental conditions that appear to favor its own establishment. In addition, Japanese barberry is a known harbinger of ticks, creating a health hazard for humans and all other susceptible host species in dense infestations.
There is currently no single optimal biological control agent in use against this species.
Pulling / Digging Up: Pulling by hand is an effective method of control for seedlings and small plants as long as the entire root is extracted from the soil. For larger plants, a weed wrench may be used, however, any leftover root fragments may re-sprout.
Mowing: While mowing will suppress Japanese barberry, it will not eradicate it.
Girdling: Not applicable
Prescribed Fire: Carefully managed, early spring fires can help to reduce the overall size of Japanese barberry infestations, prior to the employment of other management strategies.
Torching: Torching is an effective management tool for smaller, scattered infestations of Japanese barberry, where root crowns of individual plants can be isolated and targeted for at least 10-20 seconds of treatment. Follow up treatment in 2-3 weeks will likely be necessary to monitor and re-treat newly emerged sprouts.
Prescribed Grazing: Not applicable
Soil Tilling: Not advisable. Tiling may fragment roots and encourage re-sprouting.
Mulching: Not advisable. Tiling may fragment roots and encourage re-sprouting.
Solarization: Not applicable
Hot Foam Spray: Not applicable
Foliar Spray: A 2-3% solution of glyphosate is effective at managing Japanese barberry, although a repeat application will likely be necessary. Infestations managed in this way should be revisited in 2-3 weeks to monitor for regrowth. Always read and follow all instructions on the herbicide label.
Cut Stump: Apply a 20-25% solution of glyphosate or triclopyr to the cut stump of larger Japanese barberry plants towards the end of the growing season.
Basal Bark: A 2% solution of triclopyr applied to the bark of dormant Japanese barberry is somewhat effective in controlling infestations, although this technique is best applied with other strategies, such as a follow-up foliar spray.
Hack-And-Squirt
Stem Injection: Not applicable
Pre-Emergent Spray: Not applicable
The pesticide application rates and usage herein are recommendations based on research and interviews with land managers. When considering the use of pesticides, it is your responsibility to fully understand the laws, regulations and best practices required to apply pesticides in a responsible manner. At times, the pest you seek to treat may not be on a pesticide label, requiring a 2ee exemption from NYSDEC. Always thoroughly read the label of any pesticide and consult the NYSDEC or a licensed pesticide applicator with questions.
General management overview and recommendation: As with any other invasive infestation complex, large stands of Japanese barberry are best managed via a combination of mechanical and chemical means. Spring wildfires or sequential cutting followed by foliar spray of the vegetation that re-sprouts and/or application of herbicide to cut stumps will give the most complete control. Managed infestations should be monitored for at least five years to ensure exhaustion of the seed bank. Any new seedlings can be hand pulled. Due to Japanese barberry’s ability to alter native soil characteristics, managed sites should be watched carefully for signs of re-invasion from outside sources.
Post-treatment monitoring: Any infestations managed by chemical means must be revisited in 2-3 weeks to check for treatment efficacy. Although the species does not appear capable of forming long-term seed banks, treated populations should be revisited for at least five years to ensure no new seedlings have germinated.
Freshly cut stems may root if left in contact with the ground. Material left on site should not be left in contact with the ground until thoroughly dried. Waste material can be crushed, chipped, burned or composted so long as management was completed prior to seed set. Any fruit must be bagged and disposed of, and any roots thoroughly crushed or dried.
){kind=link}