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Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris): Thorny Shrub with Tart Berries

Overview

Common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) is a deciduous, thorny shrub native to Europe and naturalized in North America. It bears clusters of yellow flowers followed by bright red, tart berries that persist into winter.

Botanical Details

Family:	Berberidaceae (bear-ber-id-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Berberis (BUR-bur-is)
Species:	vulgaris (vul-GAIR-iss)

Uses and Cautions

Berries are edible, high in vitamin C, used in jams and Persian cuisine (zereshk). Roots yield berberine, a medicinal compound. Alternate host for wheat stem rust; restricted in some areas. Thorns make excellent barrier hedges.

Herbs: Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): The Classic Tropical Clumping Bamboo; Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): Giant Tropical Clumping Bamboo; Black Sedge (Carex nigra): A Common, Rhizomatous Sedge of Wet European Meadows; Common Rice (Oryza sativa); European Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Majestic Forest Tree for Grand Landscapes; Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): Nutritious Weed with a Sting; French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus): The Culinary King of Herbs; English Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): The Classic Culinary Thyme for Every Herb Garden; St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Famous Medicinal Herb with Perforated Leaves; Tricolor Sage (Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor'): Variegated Foliage for Herb Gardens and Containers

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