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Berberidaceae FAMILY

Berberis rotundifolia

Berberis rotundifolia

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitShrub
Growth—

Berberis rotundifolia is moderately cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures falling to around -15 to -20°c and often experiencing standing snow for several months[1]. It grows in somewhat dry areas of southern Chile where the dry season lasts for 3 - 5 months and there is a mean annual rainfall of 400 - 800mm, most of which falls in the cold season[1]. An easily grown plant, it prefers a position with some shade[1]. 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[2]. We have no data on susceptibility for this species[PFAF].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[3]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[3], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[4]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[5]. 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, mid summer in a frame. Roots in 4 - 8 weeks[5]. Pot up in spring[5]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, autumn in a frame[3]. Some forms produce suckers[6]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Berberis+rotundifolia>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]ChileFlora — http://www.chileflora.com/index.html ↩︎Not realy a flora, but a lovely site with lots of helpful information for the gardener and an abundance of excellent photos covering over 2,000 species of Chilean plants.
  2. [2]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
  3. [3]Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. — Sheat. W. G. · MacMillan and Co · 1948 · ISBN - ↩︎A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
  4. [4]Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. — McMillan-Browse. P. · Grower Books · 1985 · ISBN 0-901361-21-6 ↩︎Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
  5. [5]The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. — Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. · Athens Ga. Varsity Press · 1987 · ISBN 0942375009 ↩︎A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
  6. [6]Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. — Bean. W. · Murray · 1981 · ISBN - ↩︎A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
  7. [7]Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 86 — Missouri Botanical Garden · 1999 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎Among many articles on botany, is a treatment of the genus Beilschmiedia.
  8. [8]Medicinal Plants of China — Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. · Reference Publications, Inc. · 1985 · ISBN 0-917256-20-4 ↩︎Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
  9. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎