Berberis verruculosa

Hemsl. & E. H. Wilson

Warty barberry

Berberidaceae Edible: Fruit 45 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Berberis verruculosa, the warty barberry or warted barberry, is an evergreen shrub in the family Berberidaceae. It ranges in size from 1–2 m, and is native to western China (Gansu, Sichuan, Yunnan). It gets its common name from its "warty" stems, that have rounded, more or less identical, raised spots. Berberis verruculosa is a shrub up to 100 cm tall, with yellow spines along the twigs. Leaves are 1.5–2 cm long, hard, leathery, glossy dark green above, vivid white below with stomatal wax; in cold winter weather, the leaves may turn purplish-green above on exposed shoots. The flowers are small, yellow, and mature into dark purple berries 6–10 mm long.

Description

An evergreen shrub. It grows about 1.5 m high. The branches arch over. The bark has small warty brown lumps. The leaves are small and glossy. The flowers are yellow. The flowers are scattered singly amongst the leaves. The fruit are cylindrical, purple-black berries.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. Poor quality. The fruits are about 10mm long.

Traditional Uses

Asia, Australia, China, Tasmania,

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

It is a temperate plant. It is native to China. It grows in rock crevices and forests between 1,900-3,200 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Sichuan Sheng (west))

Cultivation

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 are hardy to about -20°c. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. A very ornamental but slow-growing plant. The flowers are sweetly scented. Can be pruned back quite severely, it resprouts well from the base.

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 Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge. They are quite tolerant of trimming though are best left untrimmed. They make an effective dense barrier. Plants can be grown as a tall ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way. A yellow dye is obtained from the root. Special Uses Ground cover Scented Plants

Production

There are about 450-500 Berberis species.

References (5)

Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1906:151. 1906
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 127
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 43
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Young, J., (Ed.), 2001, Botanica's Pocket Trees and Shrubs. Random House. p 135