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Berberis vulgaris

Biological Category 
Plants
Species Type 
Shrub or woody bush
LHPrism Status 
Tier 4 - Widespread

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Impacts of this species 

The greatest impact of Common barberry is its potential to negatively affect the yield of cereal crops. The nonnative shrub acts as an alternate host for various rust species such as wheat rust, a fungal disease which can greatly reduce the yield of wheat, oat, and barley crops. As an alternate host, Common barberry can support the development of new genotypes of rust that are able to infect rust-resistant crops. Eradication of Common barberry has been associated with greater yields of grain crops.