Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Ranunculales>Berberidaceae>Berberis canadensis P. Miller

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

American Barberry is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub with bristle-tipped leaves and 3-parted spines on the branches. This southern Appalachians species is not native to Canada, despite the scientific name. American Barberry usually grows in areas with basic or circumneutral soil, over limestone or mafic bedrock. In North Carolina it is rare and grows in a few counties in the Mountains and Piedmont.

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

The leaves are clustered at the ends of short spur branches. The leaf arrangement is alternate, though appearing whorled.

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) fruits

Remnants of flowers with developing fruits.

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

The spines, located just below the buds, are often trifurcate, branched into three parts.

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

Bark is striped, dark brown with paler bands.

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) leaves

There are usually 5-9 bristly teeth on each side of a leaf. The cultivated Common Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) generally has 20-30 bristly teeth per side.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) spines

Trifurcate spines.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) bark

Bark detail.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis) shrub

Low, arching growth habit.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

American Barberry (Berberis canadensis)

Granville Co., NC 5/8/2012.

More information:
flower photo by Alan Cressler
USDA plants database
University of Tennessee

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides