Unless a more recent treatment has been published, we are in general following the treatment in Flora of China[]. However, there is a new revision of the Chinese Berberis species currently being prepared (2016) and it is likely that it will lead to several revisions once it is published[].

Common Name:

General Information

Berberis wilsoniae is a spiny, semi-evergreen shrub, much-branched from the base; it can grow around 100cm tall with arching branches[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a tall ground cover.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine - this is most concentrated in the roots, stems and inner bark, and least concentrated in the fruits. In small quantities berberine has a range of effective medicinal applications but, in excess, can cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, and other ill-effects.
The fruit of most, if not all, members of this genus are more or less edible and can be eaten in quantity since the levels of berberine in the fruit are very low.

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - central and southern China.

Habitat

Slopes, thickets, rocky beaches, riverbanks, roadsides, forest margins, streamsides, Pinus forests, rock crevices and dry slopes; at elevations from 1,000 - 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Berberis wilsoniae is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -20°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[, ].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, especially the closely related Berbris aggregata, with whom it is the parent of several ornamental forms[, ]. The true species is seldom seen in cultivation, having been replaced with its hybrid progeny[]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[].
Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Some Berberis species (especially Berberis vulgaris) harbour the black stem-rust fungus (Puccinia graminis Persoon). This is a major disease of wheat and barley crops and can spread from infected barberries to the grain crop. The sale or transport of susceptible or untested species of Berberis is illegal in the United States and Canada[]. This species has been found to be susceptible to the disease[].

Edible Uses

Fruit raw or cooked. Very acid with a lemon-like flavour, it goes very well in a muesli[]. Children and some adults like it raw, at least in small quantities, though most adults prefer to cook it and use it in pies, preserves etc[]. The reddish, sub-globose berries are about 6 - 7mm long and 4 - 5mm wide[, ].

Medicinal

The alkaloid berberine, which is universally present in the roots and stems 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 in combination with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[].
Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a tall ground cover when planted about 60cm apart each way[].

Other Uses

The roots and stems of all Berberis species contain alkaloids and, when cut open, are a strong yellow colour. This has been utilized by various cultures to make a yellow dye for cloth etc[].

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, mid summer in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, autumn in a frame[].