Berberis tomentosa
Ruiz. & Pav.
Hairy Barberry
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Andrew I. Gallardo : Field Museum of Natural History - Department of Zoology
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Cathie Jagasia : Field Museum of Natural History - Botany Department
Summary
A deciduous shrub with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects and capable of self-fertilization. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across a range of pH levels from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil conditions.
Description
A deciduous shrub with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by insects and capable of self-fertilization. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across a range of pH levels from mildly acidic to mildly alkaline. Grows in semi-shade or full sun and prefers consistently moist soil conditions.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. No more details.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial Cancer Dysentery 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. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in shrub land between 3,000-3,500 m above sea level. It grows in light shade and moist soil.
Where It Grows
Chile, Peru, South America,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in some parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate, whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated. 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.
Other Uses
Dye A yellow dye is obtained from the root. Special Uses
Notes
There are about 450-500 Berberis species.
References (2)
- Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 98
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
