În 1875, drăcila japoneză a ajuns în SUA ca plantă decorativă pentru garduri. Acum, urmașele sale creează adăpost pentru căpușe cu Lyme

Japanese barberry, introduced to the U.S. in 1875, has become invasive, creating dense thickets that favor black-legged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease. Research in Connecticut shows that areas with intact barberry have significantly higher tick populations compared to those where it has been controlled. The plant alters soil conditions, retaining moisture and providing habitat for both ticks and their rodent hosts. Removing barberry can reduce tick density by nearly 60%. This invasive species, while valued for ornamental use, poses ecological risks, particularly in forested areas.