Common Name:

General Information

Berberis chilensis is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 250cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central and southern Chile

Habitat

Sclerophyllous scrub vegetation, usually in fairly open habitats; at elevations from 370 - 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Berberis chilensis is a plant of the temperate zone of central Chile, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It is not very cold-hardy, tolerating occasional temperatures falling as low as -5°c. It grows in arid to semi-arid environments, experiencing dry seasons that can range from 3 - 10 months long and a mean annual precipitation ranging from 100 - 800mm with rain falling mainly in the cold season[].
An easily grown plant, it prefers a position in partial shade[].
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[]. We do not know the status of this species.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The subglobose fruit is around 5 - 7mm long, containing 1 - 3 seeds[].

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[].

Other Uses

The roots and wood 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[].