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Berberis pumila - (Greene.)Fedde.

Common Name Dwarf Barberry
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mountains[11]. Open woods and rocky areas at elevations of 300 - 1200 metres[270].
Range South-western N. America - California and southern Oregon.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Berberis pumila Dwarf Barberry


G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Berberis pumila Dwarf Barberry
R.A. Howard @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Berberis pumila is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Berberis pumila

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. We have seen no reports of edibility for this species, but it is certainly not poisonous. The fruit is likely to have an acid flavour and be suitable for making jams. jellies etc. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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A decoction of the roots is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs[257]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[218] and is used as a bitter tonic[213]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[218]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[218]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots[155, 257]. It is green[168]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[168]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[168]. This species forms suckers freely and should make a good dense ground cover in a sunny position[11].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it thrives in any good well-drained garden soil[11], preferring one on the dryish side. Prefers a sunny position[11], but also succeeds in the light shade of trees[K]. This species is hardy to about -15°c if growing in a sheltered position[184]. Established plants sucker freely and form quite dense thickets[200]. Resistant to honey fungus[88].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78]. It usually germinates in the spring[K]. 'Green' seed (harvested when the embryo has fully developed but before the seed case has dried) should be sown as soon as it is harvested and germinates within 6 weeks[K]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in late winter or spring. 3 weeks cold stratification will improve its germination, which should take place in 3 - 6 months at 10°c. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division of suckers in spring[78]. Whilst they can be placed direct into their permanent positions, better results are achieved if they are potted up and placed in a frame until established[11]. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oregon (southwest), California (north))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Berberis aggregataSalmon BarberryShrub1.5 5-9 MLMHSNDM321
Berberis amurensis Shrub3.5 5-9  LMHSNDM222
Berberis angulosaLarge-Flowered BarberryShrub1.0 5-9  LMHSNDM321
Berberis aristataChitra, Indian Barberry or Tree TurmericShrub3.5 5-9 MLMHSNDM433
Berberis asiaticaChutro, Rasanjan (Nep); marpyashi (Newa); Daruharidra, Darbi (Sans)Shrub3.5 7-10 MLMHFSNDM432
Berberis buxifoliaMagellan BarberryShrub2.5 4-8  LMHSNDM423
Berberis calliantha Shrub0.7 6-9  LMHSNDM22 
Berberis canadensisAllegheny Barberry, American barberryShrub1.8 4-8 MLMHSNDM321
Berberis capillaris Shrub1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM221
Berberis chengii Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM121
Berberis chinensis Shrub0.0 5-9  LMHSNM121
Berberis chitria Shrub4.0 -  LMHSNDM221
Berberis concinna Shrub1.0 4-8  LMHSNDM221
Berberis cooperi Shrub1.5 4-8  LMHSNM321
Berberis darwiniiDarwin's Barberry, Darwin's berberisShrub3.0 7-9 MLMHSNM423
Berberis empetrifolia Shrub0.3 6-9  LMHSNDM221
Berberis everstiana Shrub1.5 4-8  LMHSNDM221
Berberis fendleriColorado BarberryShrub1.5 5-9  LMHSNDM221
Berberis flexuosa Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM121
Berberis gagnepainii Shrub2.4 4-8  LMHSNDM223
Berberis georgiiBarberryShrub3.0 3-7 MLMHSNDM321
Berberis heterophylla Shrub1.5 7-10  LMHSNDM121
Berberis jaeschkeana Shrub0.8 -  LMHSNDM121
Berberis koreanaKorean Barberry, BarberryShrub1.5 3-7 MLMHSNDM121
Berberis lycium Shrub3.0 5-9 MLMHSNDM331
Berberis parisepala Shrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNDM221
Berberis rariflora Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM221
Berberis rubrostilla Shrub1.5 5-9  LMHSNDM321
Berberis ruscifolia Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNDM221
Berberis sherriffii Shrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNDM121
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Greene.)Fedde.

Botanical References

11200270

Links / References

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