Berberidaceae - barberry family
Species that grow without cultivation on Mount Desert Island

(updated 10 February 2018)


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.