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Japanese Barberry Increases the Risk of Lyme Disease!!!

2 more pictures above! :)

What a pretty plant. They are very hardy too, and I was seriously considering getting some for around here since they grow well, don't need much water, and are deer resistant. However, when I did some reading about this plant, I found out that there is a much higher risk of getting Lyme Disease where these plants grow because they create a cool, moist microclimate that ticks like. Ticks on my property already carry Lyme Disease and the last thing I want to do is increase their population!

Also, these plants are invasive and spread easily, forcing out native plants. Maybe not the best choice after all. If you would like to read the article I found, here's a link: Japanese-Barberry--A Ticking Time Bomb
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9 comments

Eunice Perkins said:

Lovely macro! There's a beautiful sheen on these leaves too.
11 years ago

LaGyr François said:

Sublimes couleurs
11 years ago ( translate )

Shuttering Yukon said:

geeze louise, they are sooo pretty, hard to imagine they are such a bad plant! Mother Nature does love to fool with us sometimes I guess!
11 years ago

Esther said:

Interesting information. I had no idea how invasive these plants were when I bought one or I never would have done so. Fortunately, I do not live in an area that has deer or Lyme disease.
11 years ago

Don Sutherland said:

Fantastic capture.
11 years ago ( translate )

Julien Rappaport said:

Excellent ********
11 years ago ( translate )

tiabunna said:

A lovely macro and beautiful colours. What a pity about the downsides to this plant.
11 years ago

2 said:

Oh my goodness Janet these are just wonderful ... a feast for the senses.
11 years ago

Bob Taylor said:

I see the beauty--what a gorgeous image--and appreciate your words of caution.
11 years ago