Barberry Berberis vulgaris is a deciduous thorny shrub of hedgerows and woodland edges, growing up to 4 metres tall. Barberry has, in many old publications been regarded as a British native. However, it is doubtful whether it is a true native species in the UK, as it is regarded as an introduced species in western Europe, but we do know it has been in Britain since at least Neolithic times, as evidence has been found in deposits at Grimes Graves, a Neolithic flint mine in Norfolk. We classify it as an archaeophyte, having been here before botanical records began in the 16th century.
Once widely planted as a thorny hedgerow bush, it quickly fell out of favour as it is an alternate host for the highly damaging wheat stem rust Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, which is a fungal disease of grain crops. Berberis vulgaris was the focus of concerted eradication efforts in the early 1900's, but some populations still remain and it is now a rare species in the south-west. Modern cereal crops are now bread to be rust-free, and there is no-longer a requirement to eradicate Berberis vulgaris. Besides, newly introduced Berberis and Mahonia species from Asia are also hosts to rust and they’re not eradicated. Trebrown Nurseries is bringing this species back in to cultivation.
The berries are edible and rich in vitamin C. They are not widely consumed in the UK nowadays, possibly as the plant is less common than it was. In the past the berries were known as pipperages and were frequently used in making jam, tart pickles and jellies. Barberries are a more common ingredient in Asian and Persian dishes. Barberry is reported to have many health benefits due to the compound Berberine, which apparently improves heart health, stimulates the immune system and regulates blood sugar amongst other qualities.
As well as a useful thorny hedge, common Barberry is a useful plant for wildlife and should be considered in planting schemes and as a garden plant. The yellow flowers are an excellent nectar source for many invertebrates and the berries are an important food for many birds which disperse the seeds in their droppings. The threatened Barberry Carpet moth is entirely reliant on Common Barberry. It is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
