Common barberry

Common barberry is an evergreen or semi-deciduous spiny shrub standing at 7m tall. It replaces pasture species and impedes livestock movement as well as displaces native species.

Description

• Leaves are leathery, around 75 x 25mm, and often turn reddish in autumn.
• Flowers are yellow in less than 6cm long clusters from October to November.
• Berries are oval, red/black, and visible from March to May.
• Seeds are dispersed by birds, water, soil movement, and possibly possums.
• Habitats include disturbed forests and scrublands, tussock lands, bare and stony land, cliffs, coastal areas, riparian areas, and wastelands.

What you need to know

Replaces pasture species, reducing grazing area and impeding livestock movement. Can displace native species in open habitats.

Management approach

Community led

These organisms have not been legally declared as pests but may be of interest to the public as they occur regularly in the environment. They may be capable of causing adverse effects to the values of Waitaha/Canterbury.

Consider removing this invasive species from your property and consult your local council for appropriate disposal. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Control

Site management

Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after two to three treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig out all year round.

Plant parts requiring disposal: seeds.

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations.

Chemical control

No qualifications: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel.

Certified handler/experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.

Biological control

Biological control is currently not available for this species.

Safety notes

Plant has thorns.