Common Name: Barberry

General Information

Berberis vulgaris is an erect, spiny, deciduous shrub, much-branched from the base; it can grow 100 - 300cm tall, though exceptional specimens up to 6 metres have been recorded[, ]. Plants produce suckers and can form thickets[].
The plant has a long history of use as a food and a medicine. Modern tastes are less attracted to the acid-tasting fruits than previous generations, though the plant is still commonly used in herbal medicine. The plant was at one time often grown as a fruit crop, it is still cultivated for ornamental purposes, often being used to make a hedge.
Berberis vulgaris was at one time often cultivated as a fruit crop and plants were taken by Europeans to various other countries. It found N. America very much to its liking and the plant soon escaped from cultivation and spread widely, especially on the eastern side of the continent. It is now generally considered to be a noxious weed, especially since it can harbour the rust fungus of cereal crops[, ].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine - this is most concentrated in the roots, stems and inner bark, and least concentrated in the fruits. In small quantities berberine has a range of effective medicinal applications but, in excess, can cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, and other ill-effects.
The fruit of most, if not all, members of this genus are more or less edible and can be eaten in quantity since the levels of berberine in the fruit are very low.

Botanical References

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Range

Barberry Coast. Naturalized, or possibly native, in Britain[].

Habitat

Light deciduous woodland, hedges, roadsides, clearings etc, preferring a sunny position and a chalky soil[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Berberis vulgaris is a plant of the temperate zone, where it tends to prefer humid, continental climates with cold winters. It is winter hardy to about -35°c[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual precipitation is in excess of 630mm[].
An easily grown plant, it prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[, ]. Prefers a light rich rather dry soil according to another report[]. In the wild, plants are often widespread or particularly prolific on limestone soils or other alkaline and/or calcareous soils[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[11. 200] but requires a moist soil when grown in the shade of trees[].
A very ornamental plant[], the barberry was at one time cultivated for its edible fruit, several named varieties were developed, though these might be hard to find nowadays[, , ]. 'Dulcis' the fruit of which is sweet or only slightly sour[]. 'Asperma' is a seedless form that was often used in France to make a jam[, ].
Plants usually commence fruiting when around 4 - 7 years old from seed, though one year old plants have sometimes been seen with a small crop[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[], though it usually breeds fairly true to type[]. Can be pruned back quite severely, it resprouts well from the base[].
Although top-growth is usually killed, plants can survive fires by resprouting from the base[].
Some Berberis species (especially Berberis vulgaris) harbour the black stem-rust fungus (Puccinia graminis Persoon). This is a major disease of wheat and barley crops and can spread from infected barberries to the grain crop. The sale or transport of susceptible or untested species of Berberis is illegal in the United States and Canada[]. The plant has been extensively grubbed up from its habitats[, , , , ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , , , , ]. Rich in vitamin C[], the fruit has a very acid flavour and is mainly used in preserves[], though children and some adults seem to like it raw when it is fully ripe[]. The dried fruit is still often used as a condiment, it is very popular in Uzbekistan, for example, where it is used to make the national dish known as 'Plov'.
A refreshing lemon-like drink can be made from the fruit[].
The fruits contain malic acid, which is used in confectionery[].
The red or purple, ellipsoid berries are about 10 - 11mm long[].

Young leaves - used as a flavouring or as an acid nibble[, ]. They can be used in much the same way as sorrel (Rumex acetosa)[].

The dried young leaves and shoot tips make a refreshing tea[, ].

Medicinal

Barberries have long been used as a herbal remedy for the treatment of a variety of complaints. All parts of the plant can be used though the yellow root bark is the most concentrated source of active ingredients. The plant is mainly used nowadays as a tonic to the gallbladder to improve the flow of bile and ameliorate conditions such as gallbladder pain, gallstones and jaundice[].

The bark and root bark are antiseptic, astringent, cholagogue, hepatic, purgative, refrigerant, stomachic and tonic[, , , , , , ]. The bark is harvested in the summer and can be dried for storing[]. It is especially useful in cases of jaundice, general debility and biliousness[], but should be used with caution[].

The flowers and the stem bark are antirheumatic[].

The roots are astringent and antiseptic[]. They have been pulverized in a little water and used to treat mouth ulcers[]. A tea of the roots and stems has been used to treat stomach ulcers[]. The root bark has also been used as a purgative and treatment for diarrhoea[] and is diaphoretic[]. A tincture of the root bark has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, sciatica etc[]. The root bark is a rich source of the alkaloid berberine (about 6%)[].

A tea made from the fruits is antipruritic, antiseptic, appetizer, astringent, diuretic, expectorant and laxative[, ]. It is also used as a febrifuge[]. The fruit, or freshly pressed juice, is used in the treatment of liver and gall bladder problems, kidney stones, menstrual pains etc[].

The leaves are astringent and antiscorbutic[]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of coughs[].
The plant (probably the inner bark) is used by homeopaths as a valuable remedy for kidney and liver insufficiency[].

The alkaloid berberine, which is universally present in the roots and stems of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[].
It should not be used in combination with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[].
Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[], and is also effective in the treatment of hypersensitive eyes, inflamed lids and conjunctivitis[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge in exposed positions but they cannot tolerate extreme maritime exposure[]. They are very tolerant of trimming but can also be left untrimmed if required[].

Other Uses

A good quality yellow dye is obtained from the roots, bark and stem[, , , , ]. As well as being used on cloth, it is also used to stain wood[].

The unripe fruit is dried and used as beads[].

Wood - very hard, fine grained, with a yellow sapwood. It is used for carving, toothpicks, cobbler's nails, mosaics etc[, , , ].
The wood is used as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[]. Sow the seed shallowly and place in a lightly shaded position[]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Germination averages out at about 90%[, ].
Seeds can remain viable for 9 years or more in the soil[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, autumn in a frame[].
Suckers, removed in late autumn/early winter and planted out in situ or potted up and planted out in late spring[, ].