Terrestrial invasive species

Nature

Most of these invasive plant factsheets are created from the booklet Minnesota invasive non-native terrestrial plants, an identification guide for resource managers.

Check the additional resources and herbicides table for more information.

Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)


 

Description:

Appearance: Small, compact, spiny shrub, 3-6' tall with slightly curving branches.

Leaves: Small rounded untoothed, arranged in clusters above single spines, appear early in the spring.

Flowers: Yellow, single or in clusters of 2-4 blossoms; blooming in May.

Fruit: Bright red, egg-shaped small berries, in clusters or single, mature in August and stay on the shrub through winter.

Seeds: Dispersed by birds.

 

Roots: Spreads vegetatively through horizontal lower branches that root freely.

Ecological Threat:

  • It invades oak woodlands and oak savanna and prefers well-drained soils.
  • Once established its prolific spreading shades out native plants.
  • Japanese barberry was introduced to North America as ornamental as a living fence and for wildlife and erosion control.

 

Control Methods:

Mechanical
Prescribed fire effectively kills the plant

Regular mowing of resprouts after initial removal

Pulling plants in small infestations

Chemical
Cut-stump treatment with glyphosate; cut-stump or basal bark spray treatment around the stem with triclopyr.

 

Native Substitutes:

Additional Resources