Practical
Plants

Berberis thunbergii

Japanese Barberry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Berberis genus in the family Berberidaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
2 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][4]. Dry with a very poor flavour[K]. The fruits are about 8mm long[8]. Leaves - cooked.

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root bark is anthelmintic, antiseptic and febrifuge[5]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes 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[10]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[10]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[10].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Febrifuge

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge[11]. They are very tolerant of trimming and have prickles which make them an effective barrier to larger creatures[K]. The cultivar 'Atropurpurea Nana' can be used for ground cover[9]. It makes a dense covering when planted 30cm apart each way[9]. A yellow dye is obtained from the root and branches[5].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. and S. Japan
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[13]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[13], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[14]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[3]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Fairly easy[2]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[13]. Fairly easy[2]

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[2][8]. Prefers a lime-free soil according to one report[6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[2][8]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[7]. A commonly grown ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[6]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[8]. Unlike most other members of this genus, this plant does not usually hybridize with other species[12]. An alternate host of 'black-stem rust' of wheat so it has been extensively grubbed up from its habitats. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[8].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2

  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649

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  12. Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961-00-00

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  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

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