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].
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].
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].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
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
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
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.
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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.
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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.
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References
-
? 1.01.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
-
? 2.02.12.22.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
-
? 3.03.13.2 Moore. D. M. Flora of Tierra del Fuego. Anthony Nelson. ISBN 0-904614-05-0 (1983-00-00)
-
? 4.04.14.24.3 ? Flora of Chile. (in Spanish) ()
-
? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
-
? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
-
? 7.07.17.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
-
? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? 9.09.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
-
? 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)
-
? 11.011.111.2 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 ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
-
? 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)
-
? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
-
? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
-
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
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