Berberis Species, Common Barberry, European barberry

It's illegal to trade, transport, or plant this species in my state and three others.

It's the alternate host for wheat ru...Read Morest fungus, an important disease of wheat that has a serious economic impact.

It also invades and impoverishes natural areas.

In Ontario, common barberry is legally considered a noxious weed; property owners are required to eliminate it.

We had Barberry Rice at a local Persian restaurant which was delicious (and not toxic in any way). I found this informative and interest...Read Moreing article on a google search--thought others might like to read it:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/barnep13.html

I 've read parts of the plant are slight poisonous..special the roots are more poison... the berries do no harm. The plant contains 1 - 3...Read More % Berberine, 1,5 % Oxyacanthine, Magnoflorine, Berberrubine, Berbamine, Jatrorrhizine (Jatrorhizine), Columbamine, Palmatine and Isotetrandrine. The roots contain 15 % Alkaloides. Certainly (parts of) the can be used very well as a medicine..but take care..it is still poisonous.