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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN>Darwin’s barberry is an evergreen, spiny,yellow-wooded shrub (less than four metres tall) with woody and densely hairy stems that have tough,five-pronged, needle-sharp spines. Hairless, glossy,dark green leaves (10-30 by 5-15 millimetres) are usually spiny-serrated along edges. Hanging clusters(seven centimetres long) of deep orange-yellow flowers (five to seven millimetres diameter) appear from July to February followed by oval purplish-blackberries (five to seven millimetres diameter) with a bluish-white surface.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>This long-lived plant tolerates moderate to cold temperatures, damp to dry conditions, high wind, salt,shade, damage, grazing (not browsed), and a range of soils. Birds and possibly possums eat the berries and subsequently spread the seeds. Berries are also occasionally spread by soil and water movement.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>It is capable of invading pasture, disturbed forest, shrubland and tussockland, along roadsides and other sparsely vegetated sites. The plant forms dense colonies that replace existing vegetation and prevent the establishment of desirable plants. Darwin’s barberry will also establish under canopy in forest and shrubland. It can grow more rapidly than native species when suitable conditions arise, allowing it to dominate sites where it establishes.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>For these reasons Darwin’s barberry is included in the Southland Regional Pest Management Plant.</SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |