Northern hemisphere mainly in temperate regions, especially eastern Asia and eastern North America. Eastern Asia and eastern North America. Cronquist's division of these families into just the Ranunculales and Papaverales, however, is rather dubious. Many members of this family are cultivated. Oregon grape holly was introduced by Lewis and Clark into Philadelphia in the first decade of the 1800s.
Several species are significant medicinally.
Remember, the leaves and unripen fruit are poisonous. Barberry is the alternate host for the wheat rust pathogen. Panatropical with a few in more temperate environments. Approximately 75 genera and some 450 species. See the FNA family treatment .