Quercus

Japanese Barberry

Berberis thunbergii

Not native to South Carolina

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Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

11CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including SC

Genus host records with ranges including SC · Berberis

  • Bleptina caradrinalisBent-Winged Owlet, Variable Snout
  • Callosamia prometheaPromethea Silkmoth, Promethea Moth
  • Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Malacosoma americanaEastern Tent Caterpillar
  • Omphalocera cariosaMoonseed Webworm
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Platynota flavedanaBlack-Shaded Platynota
  • Platynota rostranaOmnivorous Platynota
  • Rheumaptera meadiiBarberry Geometer, Barberry Looper
Show all 11
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
3BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Berberis

  • Bonasa umbellusRuffed Grouse
  • Perdix perdixGray Partridge
  • Turdus migratoriusAmerican Robin
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Berberidaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–8b
Flower color
Yellow
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Several stems
Foliage color
Dark green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Winter

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Japanese Barberry

Conservation status

South Carolina rankNot available
Global rankGNR
SC statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources