Organisms

Berberis

A plant genus in the family BERBERIDACEAE. The common names of Barberry or Oregon Grape are also used for MAHONIA. The similar-named Bayberry is the unrelated MYRICA. Oregon Grape was classified by Pursh as a Berberis but Nuttall claimed it is different enough to call it a new genus, MAHONIA. Botanists insist on this name while horticulturists stay with Mahonia. They are shrubs with yellow wood and usually three-branched spines at the base of leafstalks. Flowers are yellow, six-petaled and fruit is a berry with one to several seeds. Members contain BERBERINE.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A plant genus in the family BERBERIDACEAE. The common names of Barberry or Oregon Grape are also used for MAHONIA. The similar-named Bayberry is the unrelated MYRICA. Oregon Grape was classified by Pursh as a Berberis but Nuttall claimed it is different enough to call it a new genus, MAHONIA. Botanists insist on this name while horticulturists stay with Mahonia. They are shrubs with yellow wood and usually three-branched spines at the base of leafstalks. Flowers are yellow, six-petaled and fruit is a berry with one to several seeds. Members contain BERBERINE.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Barberry
  • Barberries
  • Berberi

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

20 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, anatomy & histology, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, toxicity, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

Entry term BARBERRY: HOLLYLEAVED BARBERRY see MAHONIA is also available; BAYBERRY see MYRICA is also available

MeSH Record

History Note

2002

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Plants, Medicinal (1966-2001)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Berberis. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D028142. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D028142
  2. Berberis. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berberis
  3. Berberis. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q158503