A close-up of the thorns on the one barberry that is growing at the FWG. We don't know if this was planted back in the day when the FWG site was planted with many exotic species including lilacs, magnolias, and many varieties of crabapple. The shrub is huge and looks like it has been around for quite a long time but it was not noticed until a few years ago as it is more or less hidden behind other trees. In autumn, the pendulous fruit of this shrub turns bright red. It is planted as an ornamental and can escape cultivation. In some areas it is a problem because it invades natural areas, but around here does not (yet) appear to be a big issue.