Berberis darwinii
Berberis darwinii
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 darwinii is an erect, spiny, evergreen shrub that is much-branched from the base; it can grow from 100 - 300cm 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 harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is often grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used to make an effective hedge.