Practical
Plants

Berberis angulosa

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Berberis genus in the family Berberidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 (unit unspecified)
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[6][2][5]. The relatively large berries are freely borne and are more palatable than most barberries[1][9][3]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[8]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[8]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[8].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Antibacterial
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Cancer

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellow dye is obtained from the root.

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas (Nepal)
Habitat
Alpine regions, open places in forests and amongst rocks in river beds to 4500 metres[10][11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Wind
No
Maritime
No
Pollution
No
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[12]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[12], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[13]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[4]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[12]. Layering.

Seed Requires Scarification
No
Seed Requires Smokification
No
Seed Requires Stratification
No

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[3][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[7]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely and will resprout well from the base[7]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. This species is closely related to B. ludlowii, B. cappilaris and B. parisepala[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 32202/01/01

    ↩

  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0942375009

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 3874292169

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  6. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

    ↩

  10. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 32202/01/01

    ↩

  11. Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 32202/01/01

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 32202/01/01

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 32202/01/01 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩

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