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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or used in conserves[1][2][3][4][5]. Freely borne in Britain. Large and black with a pleasant flavour, they are eaten out of hand[6]. Said to be the best flavoured of the South American barberries, the fruit is hardly acid and but slightly astringent[7]. The green unripe fruits can be used like gooseberries in pies etc[7][6]. The fruits are about 8mm long[8].

Fruit

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the root[4]. The dwarf form, var. 'Nana' makes a good dwarf hedge to 1 metre tall[9].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[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].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[11]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[11], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[12]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[13]. 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. Roots in 4 - 8 weeks[13]. Pot up in spring[13].

Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[11].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Berberis buxifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils and in full sun[2][8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[14], but they can be deciduous in cold winters[15]. The dwarf B. buxifolia nana is the form of this species that is most commonly found growing in Britain. It is very free flowering but to date (1994) we have not seen this form bearing fruit[K]. The species is supposed to be self-fertile so it is possible that this form is sterile. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[16].

Plants can be pruned back quite severely and resprout well from the base[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Berberis buxifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Berberis buxifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Berberis buxifolia
Genus
Berberis
Family
Berberidaceae
Imported References
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
5
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. ISBN 0-904614-05-0 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 ? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish) ()
    5. ? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    12. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    14. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    15. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-17" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Berberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Berberis buxifolia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBerberidaceae +
    Belongs to genusBerberis +
    Functions asHedge +
    Has binomial nameBerberis buxifolia +
    Has common nameMagellan Barberry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Insects + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone5 +
    Has imageBerberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height2.5 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial + and Cancer +
    Has primary imageBerberis buxifolia 'nana' 2.JPG +
    Has search nameberberis buxifolia + and magellan barberry +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBerberis buxifolia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Berberis buxifolia +, Berberis buxifolia +, Berberis buxifolia + and Berberis buxifolia +