Berberis darwinii
Darwin's Barberry
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Berberis genus in the family Berberidaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Genus
- Berberis
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 3 m
- Spread
- 3.5 m
- Fertility
- Self fertile, Insects, Self
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects, Self
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked and used in preserves[8][11][2][6]. An acid but very pleasant flavour, children seem particularly fond of the fruit[2, K]. When fully ripe, the fruit loses most of its acidity and makes very pleasant eating[K]. Unfortunately there is a lot of seed compared to the amount of flesh and this does detract somewhat from the pleasure of eating it[K]. The fruit goes very well raw in a muesli or cooked in a porridge[K]. The fruits are about 7mm long[9].
- 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.
The root bark is tonic[12][14]. Berberine, universally present in all parts of Berberis species but especially the rhizomes, has marked antibacterial effects, especially upon the urinary system. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[10]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[10]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[10].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants are very amenable to trimming and can be used as a formal hedge. They also make a very good informal hedge, their long arching branches looking especially attractive when in flower or bearing fruit. The plants tolerate maritime exposure though they are slow growing[16]. A yellow dye is obtained from the root and bark[12][14].
- Product or use
- Dye
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- S. America - S. Argentina, S. Chile.
- Habitat
- Moist shady woodland in the Patagonian mountains[15].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- 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[17]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[17], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[18]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[5]. 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[17].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a warm moist loamy soil in full sun or light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[4][9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds on chalky soils if other conditions are suitable but prefers an acid soil[7]. Dislikes exposure to strong winds according to one report[4], whilst others say that it is a very wind hardy plant, tolerating maritime exposure[13][16][9]. Does not flower well in exposed positions[13]. Plants growing in a very exposed position on our trial grounds in Cornwall are flowering and fruiting well, they are rather slow growing but are looking very happy and healthy[K]. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -15°c[7]. A good bee plant[3]. Birds love this fruit and will happily eat it all before it is fully ripe[K]. If you want to experience the fully ripe fruit then it might be necessary to find ways of keep the birds off the plants[K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[9]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[9].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961-00-00
Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6