Berberis x stenophylla
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
- 2.5 m
- Spread
- 2.5 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. A delicious sub-acid flavour, though there are a lot of seeds to relatively little flesh[K]. Children generally love this fruit, along with some adults, though most adults seem to prefer it cooked in pies, preserves etc[K]. The fruit is not always very freely borne, growing the plants near to B. darwinii (which is one of its parents) seems to increase the yield[K]. The fruits are about 7mm long[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[9]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[9]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[9].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Cancer
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants are very tolerant of trimming and can be grown as a medium-size hedge. Their long arching branches look especially nice if the plants are allowed to grow as an untrimmed informal hedge that is very resistant to maritime exposure[10][11]. It succeeds on top of Cornish hedges. The prickles make it impenetrable though it can be invasive. There are some named varieties of prostrate growth that are suitable for use as a ground cover[8]. 'Corallina' and 'Prostrata' have been especially mentioned[8]. A yellow dye is obtained from the root.
- Product or use
- Dye
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Soil surface
Environment
- Range
- A garden hybrid, B. darwinii. x B. empetrifolia.
- Habitat
- Not known in the wild.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- 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[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. This plant does not breed true from seed because it is a hybrid species. Most of the seedlings revert back to one of the parents, usually B. darwinii[3]. 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]. Suckers, removed in late autumn/early winter and planted out in situ or potted up and planted out in late spring[7].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[3][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Tolerates maritime exposure[11][7]. Fairly slow growing[11]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[6]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[5]. Plants sucker freely, forming thickets[5]. A good bee plant[2], the flowers are very fragrant. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
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
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0900629649
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