Poisonous/Cautions
Pub 505 - Leaves become infested with the fungus which causes stem rust on oats, barley, rye and wheat. The fungus overwinters on this species and then spreads to the cereal crops causing early season disease infestations.
Distribution :
Introduced as an ornamental plant and now occurs along fence lines, roadsides, riverbanks and edges of wooded areas throughout southern Ontario.
Growth Habit:
Perennial
Method of Propagation:
Seeds
Control:
New shoots readily grow from cut stumps. Cut and chemically treat stumps in autumn. Control is labour intensive. Tops are usually cut off manually and then stumps treated with a basal bark or stump herbicide treatment. Mowing or spraying of small plants can be successful to maintain control.
Other Comments:
Similar to Japanese barberry which does not normally host the rust fungus. Hybids of these two species may host the fungus. Populations are relatively stable and much lower than for European buckthorn. Rust does not occur every year but can cause significant impact in some years.