Herb latin name: Berberis verruculosa


Family: Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)



Medicinal use of Berberis verruculosa:

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. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Shrub

Height:
180 cm
(6 feet)

Flowering:
July to
August

Scent:
Scented
Shrub

Habitat of the herb:

Woods, thickets and rocky places, 1300 - 4100 metres.

Edible parts of Berberis verruculosa:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Poor quality. The fruits are about 10mm long.

Other uses of the herb:

Plants can be grown as a medium-size hedge. They are quite tolerant of trimming though are best left untrimmed. They make an effective dense barrier. Plants can be grown as a tall ground cover when planted about 1 metre apart each way. A yellow dye is obtained from the root.

Propagation of Berberis verruculosa:

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, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame.

Cultivation of the herb:

Woods, thickets and rocky places, 1300 - 4100 metres.

Known hazards of Berberis verruculosa:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.