Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii), Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Park, 2015.

This barberry, native to Japan and eastern Asia, may be known as Japanese barberry, Thunberg's barberry or red barberry. Don't confuse it with American barberry (B. canadensis) or other Barberis species; Japanese barberry grows flowers in umbrels (i.e., short flower stalks spreading from a common point like an umbrella), not racemes (i.e., unbranched flowers). Though beautiful, it is now recognized as an invasive species in many parts of the US; it is avoided by deer and often replaces native species, it raises the soil pH, affects soil nitrogen levels and is even a favoriable environment for ticks due to the high humidity present in barberry's dense foliage.

plant bush shrub barberry japanese red deciduous bud fruit edible green bloom flower blooms spring frederick law olmsted national historic site national historic park japanese barberry berberis thunbergii frederick law species flowers thunberg s barberry american barberry barberis species flower stalks soil nitrogen levels soil ph national parks gallery nature

2015

National Parks Gallery

https://npgallery.nps.gov/

Public Domain Dedication