Common Name:

General Information

Berberis rotundifolia is a shrub that can grow around 150cm 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

An understorey shrub of Nothofagus forest, also growing in open areas of forest regeneration; at elevations from 1,000 - 2,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Berberis rotundifolia is moderately cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures falling to around -15 to -20°c and often experiencing standing snow for several months[]. It grows in somewhat dry areas of southern Chile where the dry season lasts for 3 - 5 months and there is a mean annual rainfall of 400 - 800mm, most of which falls in the cold season[].
An easily grown plant, it prefers a position with some 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 have no data on susceptibility for this species[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The blue-purple, subglobose fruit is 6 - 7mm long, containing around 5 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 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. Roots in 4 - 8 weeks[]. Pot up in spring[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, autumn in a frame[].
Some forms produce suckers[].