Common Name:

General Information

Berberis x stenophylla is an erect, spiny, evergreen shrub, much branched from the base, with stems that arch towards their ends; it can grow up to 3 metres tall[].
Often grown as an ornamental in gardens, there are several named forms some of which can be used as hedges or ground cover. The fruits of all the cultivars can be eaten.

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

A garden hybrid, Berberis darwinii. x Berberis empetrifolia

Habitat

Not known in the wild

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -15°c[].
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. Tolerates maritime exposure[, ]. Fairly slow growing[].
A very ornamental plant[], there are many named varieties[].
Plants sucker freely, forming thickets[].
A good bee plant[], the flowers are very fragrant.
Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[].
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 resistant to the disease[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. A delicious 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 fruit is not always very freely borne, growing the plants near to B. darwinii (which is one of its parents) seems to increase the yield[]. The fruits are about 7mm long[].

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

Plants are very tolerant of trimming and can be grown as a medium-size hedge. Their long arching branches look especially nice if the plants are allowed to grow as an untrimmed informal hedge that is very resistant to maritime exposure[, ]. It succeeds on top of Cornish hedges. The prickles make it impenetrable though it can be invasive.
There are some named varieties of prostrate growth that are suitable for use as a ground cover[]. 'Corallina' and 'Prostrata' have been especially mentioned[].
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. This plant does not breed true from seed because it is a hybrid species. Most of the seedlings revert back to one of the parents, usually B. darwinii[].
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[].
Suckers, removed in late autumn/early winter and planted out in situ or potted up and planted out in late spring[].