Berberis Cultivar with Fiery Red Foliage and Rounded Habit

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Berberis cultivars lack distinct foliage colors and forms, particularly in terms of mature foliage color and growth habit, which limits their horticultural diversity and appeal.

Innovation Solution

Development of the Berberis thunbergii 'NCBT4' cultivar with fiery red foliage and a compact, rounded habit, achieved through asexual propagation and selective breeding, distinguishing it from other cultivars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing Berberis cultivars are used, then they have established growth habits, but they lack distinct foliage colors and forms limiting horticultural diversity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehorticultural diversityVSAvoidfoliage color and growth habit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting and breeding plants with specific phenotypic traits (fiery red foliage color, compact rounded habit) to create a new cultivar with distinct characteristics that differ from existing cultivars, thereby increasing horticultural diversity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If new cultivar characteristics are developed through breeding, then foliage color and growth habit are improved, but stability of these characteristics across generations must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoliage color and growth habitVSAvoidgenetic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asexual propagation methods where the plant propagates itself through cuttings, ensuring that the unique phenotypic characteristics (fiery red foliage, compact rounded habit) are cloned and maintained consistently across generations without genetic variation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses stem cuttings as a temporary, easily obtainable propagation medium that can be rooted and multiplied rapidly, providing a simple and effective way to propagate the cultivar while maintaining genetic stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUSPP37165P2<i>Berberis </i>plant named ‘NCBT4’

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIV

AI summary

A new and distinct cultivar of Berberis plant named ‘NCBT4’ is disclosed, characterized by fiery red foliage color, a compact, rounded habit, and vigorous growth. The new cultivar is a Berberis, normally used for outdoor ornamental purposes.