Difference between revisions of "Berberis"
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− | | | + | |image=Berberis darwinii shoot.jpg |
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− | + | |image_caption=''Berberis darwinii'' shoot with flowers | |
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'''''Berberis''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|Bér-be-ris]]'', '''barberry''', '''pepperidge bush''') a [[genus]] of about 450-500 species of [[deciduous]] and [[evergreen]] [[shrub]]s from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[North America]] and [[South America]]. They are closely related to the genus ''[[Mahonia]]'', which is included within ''Berberis'' by some [[botanist]]s. | '''''Berberis''''' (''[[Syllable stress of Botanical Latin|Bér-be-ris]]'', '''barberry''', '''pepperidge bush''') a [[genus]] of about 450-500 species of [[deciduous]] and [[evergreen]] [[shrub]]s from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[Africa]], [[North America]] and [[South America]]. They are closely related to the genus ''[[Mahonia]]'', which is included within ''Berberis'' by some [[botanist]]s. | ||
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The [[flower]]s are produced singly or in [[raceme]]s of up to 20 on a single flower-head. They are yellow or orange, 3-6 mm long, with six [[sepal]]s and six [[petal]]s in alternating whorls of three, the sepals usually coloured like the petals. The [[fruit]] is a small [[berry]] 5-15 mm long, ripening red or dark blue, often with a pink or violet waxy surface bloom; they may be either long and narrow (like a bar, hence 'barberry') or in other species, spherical. | The [[flower]]s are produced singly or in [[raceme]]s of up to 20 on a single flower-head. They are yellow or orange, 3-6 mm long, with six [[sepal]]s and six [[petal]]s in alternating whorls of three, the sepals usually coloured like the petals. The [[fruit]] is a small [[berry]] 5-15 mm long, ripening red or dark blue, often with a pink or violet waxy surface bloom; they may be either long and narrow (like a bar, hence 'barberry') or in other species, spherical. | ||
− | The berries are edible, and rich in [[vitamin C]], though with a very sharp flavour; the thorny shrubs make harvesting them difficult, so in most places they are not widely consumed. | + | The berries are edible, and rich in [[vitamin C]], though with a very sharp flavour; the thorny shrubs make harvesting them difficult, so in most places they are not widely consumed. |
''Berberis'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Mottled Pug]]. | ''Berberis'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including [[Mottled Pug]]. | ||
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Some ''Berberis'' have become [[invasive species]] when planted outside of their native ranges, including ''B. glaucocarpa'' and ''B. darwinii'' in [[New Zealand]] (where it is now banned from sale and propagation), and ''B. thunbergii'' in some parts of North America. | Some ''Berberis'' have become [[invasive species]] when planted outside of their native ranges, including ''B. glaucocarpa'' and ''B. darwinii'' in [[New Zealand]] (where it is now banned from sale and propagation), and ''B. thunbergii'' in some parts of North America. | ||
− | === | + | ==Cultivation== |
+ | <!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> | ||
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+ | ===Propagation=== | ||
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+ | ===Pests and diseases=== | ||
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+ | ==Species== | ||
+ | Selected species: | ||
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− | + | ==Gallery== | |
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<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:Berberis gagnepainii thorn.jpg|''Berberis gagnepainii'' three-spined thorn (modified long shoot leaf) with leafy short shoot. Each thorn is 20 mm long. | Image:Berberis gagnepainii thorn.jpg|''Berberis gagnepainii'' three-spined thorn (modified long shoot leaf) with leafy short shoot. Each thorn is 20 mm long. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
− | + | *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 | |
− | + | <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 --> | |
− | + | <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 --> | |
− | * | + | <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 --> |
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− | + | ==External links== | |
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Revision as of 23:55, 8 December 2009
Habit | shrub |
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Features: | ✓ | evergreen, deciduous |
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Berberis > |
Berberis (Bér-be-ris, barberry, pepperidge bush) a genus of about 450-500 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1-5 m tall with thorny shoots, native to the temperate and subtropical regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and South America. They are closely related to the genus Mahonia, which is included within Berberis by some botanists.
The genus is characterised by dimorphic shoots, with long shoots which form the structure of the plant, and short shoots only 1-2 mm long. The leaves on long shoots are non-photosynthetic, developed into three-spined thorns 3-30 mm long; the bud in the axil of each thorn-leaf then develops a short shoot with several normal, photosynthetic leaves. These leaves are 1-10 cm long, simple, and either entire, or with spiny margins. Only on young seedlings do leaves develop on the long shoots, with the adult foliage style developing after the young plant is 1-2 years old.
The deciduous species (e.g. Berberis thunbergii, B. vulgaris) are noted for good autumn colour, the leaves turning pink or red before falling. In some evergreen species from China (e.g. B. candidula, B. verruculosa), the leaves are brilliant white beneath, making them particularly attractive.
The flowers are produced singly or in racemes of up to 20 on a single flower-head. They are yellow or orange, 3-6 mm long, with six sepals and six petals in alternating whorls of three, the sepals usually coloured like the petals. The fruit is a small berry 5-15 mm long, ripening red or dark blue, often with a pink or violet waxy surface bloom; they may be either long and narrow (like a bar, hence 'barberry') or in other species, spherical.
The berries are edible, and rich in vitamin C, though with a very sharp flavour; the thorny shrubs make harvesting them difficult, so in most places they are not widely consumed.
Berberis species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Mottled Pug.
Several are popular garden shrubs, grown for their ornamental leaves, yellow flowers, and red or blue-black berries. They are also valued for crime prevention; being very dense, viciously spiny shrubs, they make very effective barriers impenetrable to burglars. For this reason they are often planted below potentially vulnerable windows, and used as hedges and other barriers.
Berberis buxifolia (Calafate) and Berberis darwinii (Michay) are two species found in Patagonia in Argentina and Chile. Their edible purple fruits are used for jams and infusions; anyone who tries a berry is said to be certain to return to Patagonia. The calafate and michay are symbols of Patagonia.
Berberis vulgaris (European Barberry) is the alternate host species of the wheat rust Puccinia graminis, a serious fungal disease of wheat. For this reason, cultivation of this species is prohibited in many areas.
Some Berberis have become invasive species when planted outside of their native ranges, including B. glaucocarpa and B. darwinii in New Zealand (where it is now banned from sale and propagation), and B. thunbergii in some parts of North America.
Cultivation
Propagation
Pests and diseases
Species
Selected species:
Gallery
References
- Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
External links
- w:Berberis. Some of the material on this page may be from Wikipedia, under the Creative Commons license.
- Berberis QR Code (Size 50, 100, 200, 500)