How to identify Wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae)

How to identify Wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae)

Wintergreen barberry, also known as Julian's berberis

Wintergreen barberry is an evergreen shrub showcasing a robust, dense, and rounded form, which may become more open as it matures. Distinctive evergreen leaves present in clusters on short spur shoots, each leaf is leathery, uniformly deep green without variegation, and features sharply toothed margins. Characteristic of wintergreen barberry are its stems, each possessing three sharp spines at the nodes, lending the plant a medium to fine texture. This species exhibits noteworthy hardiness in cold climates and shows resilience against animal grazing and various soil conditions.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Wintergreen barberry

Leaves are leathery, deep green, toothed, clustered at nodes on short spur shoots.

Stem has 3 sharp spines at nodes, yellowish when young, thin branching pattern.

Yellow flowers in subumbellate raceme, star-like arrangement of petals.

Distinctive bluish-black oval berry, 0.3 inches (7.62 mm) in size, smooth texture.

Robust, rounded evergreen shrub, dense form with medium to fine texture.

Detailed Traits of Wintergreen barberry

Leaf Features

Wintergreen barberry has alternate, simple leaves that are lustrous and dark green. Measuring 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long, they display a spiny, serrated edge and transform to a wine-red color in fall. The leaves are narrow-elliptic to lanceolate or oblanceolate, clustered at nodes with 3-5 leaves per node. The texture is leathery with a uniform coloration on both surfaces. They are coriaceous and often appear in clusters on dwarf shoots from spine axils.

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Flower Features

The flowers of wintergreen barberry are small and vivid yellow, appearing in spring. Each inflorescence forms a subumbellate raceme, usually comprising 2-5 flowers. These blossoms are borne on long pedicels, with individual flowers measuring about 0.4 inches (1 cm) across. The yellow petals are arranged in a star-like fashion, creating an eye-catching display during the blooming period. The flowers are not particularly noted for a strong fragrance but attract attention with their vibrant color.

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Stem Features

The stem of wintergreen barberry is angular and yellowish when young, becoming yellow-gray or yellow-brown in the second year. It exhibits 3-parted spines along its length. The stem is relatively thin, around 0.2-0.4 inches (0.5-1 cm) in diameter, and showcases a branching pattern where the 3-parted spines develop. These sharp spines and color transitions are distinguishing characteristics.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of wintergreen barberry is a distinctive, oval-shaped berry that measures approximately 0.3 inches (7.62 mm) in size. It boasts a striking bluish-black hue that gives it a jewel-like appearance, making it visually appealing as it persists on the plant into the fall season. The surface of the berry has a moderately smooth texture, which can be both observed and felt when handling it. While the berry is primarily ornamental, it is a key characteristic for the identification of wintergreen barberry and adds to the aesthetic value of the plant during the later months of the year.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Wintergreen barberry and Their Similar Plants

Japanese barberry vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Berberis thunbergii, colloquially known as japanese barberry, is a flowering deciduous shrub commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea is the most popular cultivar of this species, known for its characteristic dark red to violet foliage and bright red berries.

Oregon grape vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Oregon grape originates in western North America and flowers in early spring. The bark of the oregon grape can be used to make a yellow dye, while the berries create a purple dye.

Leatherleaf mahonia vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Leatherleaf mahonia is planted as a hedge. Its evergreen leaves, edged with spines, can deter outsiders from intruding. In addition to its very distinctive foliage, it is also very recognizable by the large bunches of dark purple fruits it produces in summer. Birds eat these fruits and help spread the seeds, so this plant is widely dispersed and even considered aggressive.

Common barberry vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Common barberry is a shrub with unpleasant-smelling flowers and red berries. The flowers can be used to create yellow dye while the berries have culinary and medicinal uses in Iran and medicinal use in China that dates back 3,000 years. Despite this, common barberry can be a host to wheat rust that is highly damaging to grain crops in America.

Darwin's barberry vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Charles Darwin discovered this barberry (Berberis darwinii) in 1835 on his second voyage on the Beagle. Coming from the harsher climatic regions of Chile and Argentina, it is hardy, easy to grow, and wind-resistant. Its dark green leaves, golden flowers on red stalks, and purple-blue berries add color to a winter garden, but garden escapees can become a nuisance.

Creeping barberry vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Creeping barberry (Berberis repens) is a hardy shrub that grows 46 to 76 cm tall and 61 to 91 cm wide. It originated in Northern California, as well as the Sierra Nevada. This species grows best in well-drained loamy soils.

Chinese mahonia vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Chinese mahonia is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub that grows well in shady areas. With its holly-like leaves and mismatched tufts of yellow flowers, this plant can add interest to a garden or be grown indoors as a houseplant.

Chinese holly vs. Wintergreen barberry: What's The Difference?

Chinese holly is an upright shrub that produces wonderful yellow flower stalks. When not in bloom, the plant is equally attractive thanks to its somewhat prickly leaves. This species is one of the parents of the highly popular garden hybrid Mahonia x media, which includes a dozen of well-known cultivars.

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Key Facts About Wintergreen barberry

Attributes of Wintergreen barberry

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

3 m

Spread

2.5 m to 4 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

3 mm

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Wintergreen barberry

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Buttercups, poppies and allies

Family

Barberry

Genus

salmon barberry

Species

Wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae)

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Distribution Map of Wintergreen barberry

Wintergreen barberry is native to East Asia and has been introduced to parts of Europe. In its native range, wintergreen barberry thrives in a temperate climate, while in the introduced regions, it has acclimatized to similar environments. Wintergreen barberry is also found in cultivation, indicating its adaptability and ornamental appeal beyond its indigenous locales.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Wintergreen barberry

A Comprehensive Guide to Wintergreen barberry How to Grow and Care for Wintergreen barberry