Berberidaceae FAMILY

Berberis trigona

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine - this is most concentrated in the roots, stems and inner bark, and least concentrated in the fruits. In small quantities berberine has a range of effective medicinal applications but, in excess, can cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, and other ill-effects. The fruit of most, if not all, members of this genus are more or less edible and can be eaten in quantity since the levels of berberine in the fruit are very low.

Botanical Description

Berberis trigona is an erect, spiny, evergreen shrub, much branched from the base; it can grow up to 2 metres tall[ 679 Title Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 86 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Year 1999 ISBN Description Among many articles on botany, is a treatment of the genus Beilschmiedia. ]. The plant is harveted from the wild for local use as a food. It is a very ornamental plant that is sometimes grown in gardens and can be used as a hedge and ground cover.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern S. America - Argentina, Chile

HabitatAn understorey shrub of Nothofagus forests[ 679 Title Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Volume 86 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Year 1999 ISBN Description Among many articles on botany, is a treatment of the genus Beilschmiedia. ]. Shady, moist woodland at elevations around 1,000 metres[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ].