Berberis x lologensis

Sandwith

Berberidaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 5 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Berberis x lologensis is an evergreen shrub reaching 2.5 m tall and wide, growing at a medium rate. It remains in leaf year-round, producing flowers from April to May with seeds ripening August to September. The plant is self-fertile and hermaphroditic, attracting insects and wildlife. It thrives in light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils, including nutritionally poor and very alkaline conditions. The plant grows in semi-shade or full sun, prefers moist soil, and tolerates maritime exposure. Hardy to UK zone 6.

Description

An evergreen spiny shrub. It is a natural hybrid between Berberis darwinii and Berberis linearifolia. The leaves are glossy dark green. They are 25 mm long. They vary in shape. The flowers are orange or yellow. They are in groups of 7. The fruit are blue black.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. A pleasant sub-acid flavour, though there are a lot of seeds to relatively little flesh. Children generally love this fruit, along with some adults, though most adults seem to prefer it cooked in pies, preserves etc. The fruits are about 7mm long.

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.

Known Hazards

Do not use with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice).

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Where It Grows

Argentina, South America,

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. Grows well on chalky soils. Plants are hardy to about -15°c. A very ornamental plant, there are several named varieties. The cultivar 'Mystery Fire' bears very large crops of fruit, even on small plants. A good bee plant, the flowers are very fragrant. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout 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. This plant does not breed true from seed because it is a hybrid species. Most of the seedlings seedlings revert back to one of the parents, usually B. darwinii. 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. Suckers, removed in late autumn/early winter and planted out in situ or potted up and planted out in late spring.

Other Uses

Dye A yellow dye is obtained from the root. Special Uses Attracts Wildlife Food Forest

Notes

There are about 450-500 Berberis species.

Synonyms

Berberis darwinii and B. linearifolia

Also Known As

Berberis × bidentata

References (3)

Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1928:108. 1928
Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 125
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/