Berberidaceae - barberry family
Mount Desert Island is home to 2 species in 1 genus. Click on a link below or scroll down for more information.
Berberis (2 species)
Berberis thunbergii - Japanese barberry (occasional [see note 1 at bottom of page])
Berberis vulgaris - common barberry (uncommon)
Berberis (barberry) - Two easily recognizable differences between Japanese barberry and common barberry are summarized in the table below:
| leaf margin | spines | |
| Berbers thunbergii | entire | simple |
| Berberis vulgaris | toothed | compound |
Berberis thunbergii (Japanese barberry)
(click on an image to enlarge)
Berberis vulgaris (common barberry)
(click on an image to enlarge)
Notes:
1. Frequency designations are from the paper “Vascular flora of the Acadia National Park region, Maine” by Craig W. Greene, Linda L. Gregory, Glen H. Mittelhauser, Sally C. Rooney, and Jill E. Weber, published in the spring 2005 issue (vol. 107, No. 930) of Rhodora: Journal of the New England Botanical Club.
2. Thank you to Luka Negoita for locating Berberis vulgaris for the Champlain Project.