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Why Darwin's barberry is a pest
Darwin’s barberry is very invasive in forests, riparian areas and in degraded pasture. It tolerates moderate to cold temperatures, damp to dry conditions, high wind, salt, shade, damage, grazing (not browsed), and a range of soils. It is occasionally spread by soil and water movement. Large amounts of seed are produced and dispersed by birds and other vertebrates such as possums. It can also regenerate via root suckers and layering.
How to recognise Darwin's barberry
Identifying features
Darwin’s barberry is a woody evergreen shrub that grows to a height of 4-5 metres with shiny dark-green spiny leaves, smaller than holly, and drooping flower clusters of characteristic deep orange flowers.
Flowers: Hanging clusters of small deep yellow-orange flowers (5-7 mm diameter) in clusters (July to February).
Fruit: Hanging groups of oval purple-black berries (5-7 mm diameter) with a bluish-white surface.
Leaves: Small clusters of hairless glossy dark-green leaves (3 cm long) with spiny-serrated edges and five short sharp spines below each group of leaves.
Stem: Tough, woody and densely hairy stems with tough, 5-pronged, needle-sharp spines.
Habitats: Scrub, forest, plantation margins, and road sides.
Responsibility for control
All landowners/occupiers are responsible for the control of Darwin’s barberry on their property.
How to control Darwin's barberry
Physical control
Smaller plants can be grubbed out. Leave on site to rot down (all year round). Cut stumps resprout quickly, and can be hard to kill and seeds will germinate onto bare land. Follow up six monthly.
Herbicide control
Stump treatment
Cut the plant down, leaving a stump no higher than 5cm above ground level. Paint herbicide over the entire stump surface, including the sides.
Cut and inject
Make shallow downward cuts around the trunk and near the ground using a machete or axe. Cuts should overlap to eff ectively ringbark the tree. Apply herbicide to the point of run-off into each cut.
Overall spray application
Most suitable for smaller plants, but pulling out plants by hand may be cheaper and easier. Total coverage of leaf surfaces is required for eff ective control.
| Herbicide |
Application |
Glyphosate
such as Roundup® G2, Renew, Glyphosate 360, Trounce®, Zero, Touchdown.
Or metsulfuron* or Vigilant gel or Tordon Brushkiller or triclopyr
Such as Grazon®, Vanguard, Victory, Renovate, Brushoff ®. |
Stump swab (all year round) |
Metsulfuron
such as Escort®, Meturon®, Mustang®, Meteor 600, Eradicate 600, Matrix. |
Cut and inject (all
year round) |
Metsulfuron* or Tordon Brushkiller
such as Escort®, Meturon®, Mustang®, Meteor 600, Eradicate 600, Matrix. |
Spray (Spring to Autumn) |
When using herbicides:
• read the instructions on the manufacturer’s label closely
• always wear protective clothing
• always minimise the risk to desirable plants
• contact the supplier for further advice.
Follow-up management
- After initial control always check area for regrowth and new seedlings and repeat treatment if necessary.
- Replant bare sites to minimise seeding.
Further information
For further advice contact your local biosecurity pest plant contractor on 0800 BIOSECURITY (0800 246732).
For more information on what we do phone Waikato Regional Council's freephone 0800 800 401.
For more information on pest plants check out the Weedbusters website.
For additional advice and information on effective methods of control contact your pest plant officer, chemical company representative, farm supply store or garden centre.
Related publications
Visit our Waikato Regional Pest Management Strategy.
'What makes a pest a pest? - A guide to Waikatos pest management future' download, order or pick up for free from our offices.
Pick up or order 'Plant me instead - Plants to use in place of common pest plants' for free from our offices.
Download the National Pest Plant Accord or view it online here for free.
Pick up or order 'Poisonous plants and fungi in New Zealand - A guide for parents, schools and child minders' for $15 from our offices.