Plant Details

Berberis vulgaris

European Barberry

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Common names

43 names · 30 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Common Barberry[1]
  • European Barberry[1]
  • European Berbery[1]
Other languages (29)
Dutch
French
  • Berbéris commun[1]
  • Vinettier commun[1]
  • Épine-vinette[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Épine-vinette commune[1]
Armenian
  • Ծորենի սովորական[1]
Belarusian
  • Барбарыс звычайны[1]
  • Кіслец[1]
  • Кіслянка[1]
Bulgarian
  • Обикновен кисел трън[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Croatian
  • Obična žutika[1]
Czech
  • dřišťál obecný[1]
Danish
  • Almindelig berberis[1]
Estonian
  • harilik kukerpuu[1]
Finnish
  • ruostehappomarja[1]
German
  • Echte Berberitze[1]
  • Essigbeere[1]
  • Gewöhnliche Berberitze[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
Hungarian
  • sóskaborbolya[1]
Italian
  • Crespino comune[1]
Japanese
  • セイヨウメギ[1]
Latvian
  • Parastā bārbele[1]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis raugerškis[1]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Berberys zwyczajny[1]
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
  • Барбарис обыкновенный[1]
Slovak
  • Dráč obyčajný[1]
Slovenian
  • navadni češmin[1]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • kızılkaramuk[1]
Ukrainian
  • Барбарис звичайний[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Berberis vulgaris — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • European barberry — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Common Barberry — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • European Berbery — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Épine-vinette commune — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Épine-vinette — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Барбарис обыкновенный — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Барбарыс звычайны — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Кіслец — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Кіслянка — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Gewöhnliche Berberitze — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Sauerdorn — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Essigbeere — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Echte Berberitze — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • dřišťál obecný — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Almindelig berberis — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Zuurbes — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Paprastasis raugerškis — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • berberis — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Обикновен кисел трън — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Crespino comune — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • ruostehappomarja — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Obična žutika — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Agracejo — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Bérberis — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Berberys zwyczajny — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • berberis — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • 刺檗 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • 刺檗 — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • harilik kukerpuu — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Ծորենի սովորական — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • セイヨウメギ — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Барбарис звичайний — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • navadni češmin — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • sóskaborbolya — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Uva-de-espinho — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Uva-spim — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Dráč obyčajný — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • kızılkaramuk — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Dracilă — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Parastā bārbele — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Vinettier commun — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • Berbéris commun — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.
  • 欧洲小檗 — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 75758; Berberis vulgaris.

General information

Scientific name: Berberis vulgaris
Accepted name (Kew): Berberis vulgaris L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Berberidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Berberis (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: European Barberry
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Arching, Broad, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, Leaves, Condiment, Tea
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Dye, Hedge, Wood, Bee forage

Description

Fruits: edible raw or cooked. The sour berries are an excellent source of vitamin C. They have a strong sour taste and are often pickled, although some people, including children, enjoy them fresh. A refreshing lemon-flavored drink can also be made from them. The small fruits are about 10 mm long. Young leaves: The young leaves are used as a seasoning or as a sour snack. They can be consumed in similar ways to sorrel (Rumex acetosa). Finally, the dried young leaves and the tips of the shoots can be used to make a refreshing tea.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/08
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1324406; name ID 2673360; Berberis L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1328084; name ID 2674612; Berberis vulgaris L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Berberis vulgaris

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 4995726, ID LKBJ: Berberis vulgaris L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Berberis vulgaris — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: Growth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .