Berberis canadensis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BER-ber-is ka-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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American Barberry is a native, medium size, deciduous shrub found in nature near streams and woodland. While relatively rare, it can be found in the mountains and Piedmont areas of North Carolina. It has spiny bright green leaves and reddish-brown stems with three-parted spines which distinguish it from other barberry species. Berberis is a Latinized form of the Arabian name for barberry. Canadensis means "from Canada."
American Barberry is an upright plant, sparingly, but multi-branched with long branches and short lateral branchlets. It often suckers and forms colonies. It is a hardy plant that tolerates poor and clay soils and dry to moist conditions.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
This species is an alternate host for Puccinia graminis, which causes stem rust of wheat, barley, oats, and other cereal crops
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- Virginia to Georgia, Alberta and Indiana
- Edibility:
- Not poisonous, but berries contain berberine that can cause stomach upset, especially with children.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Blossoms in April and May. Inflorescences racemose, 3-12-flowered, bracteoles membranous, apex acuminate. Flowers: anther filaments without distal pair.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Bright green, simple, ovate to elliptical with bristly toothed margins. One to nine bristles per leaf. The leaves are clustered at the ends of short spur branches. The leaf arrangement is alternate, though appearing whorled.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- White
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Striped dark brown with pale white banding
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Spines are three-parted and found just below the buds. Stems dimorphic, with long primary shoots and short axillary shoots.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Hedge
- Security
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
