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Berberis capillaris - Ahrendt.

Common Name
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range E. Asia - China to Burma.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Berberis capillaris


Berberis capillaris

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Berberis capillaris is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. ludlowii capillaris.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

The following report is for the closely related B. angulosa - it quite possibly can also be applied to this species[K]. The fruit of this species is said to be somewhat larger than that of B. angulosa, with fruits up to the size of a cherry[11]. Fruit - raw or cooked. The relatively large berries are freely borne and are more palatable than most barberries. The fruit is about 15mm long and 8mm wide[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Cancer  Dysentery

Berberine, universally present in rhizomes 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[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].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the root.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun or light shade[200]. This species does not do well in the colder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -5 to -10°c[11, 200]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely and will resprout well from the base[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. This species is closely related to B. angulosa[11, 200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[78]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[78], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[80]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[113]. 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, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[78]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 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

Ahrendt.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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