Small leaf barberry, Magellan barberry
Berberis microphylla

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The branches arch over. These are spines with 3 points. The leaves are small. They are simple and shiny. The flowers are yellow with 7-14 petals. The fruit are green but black when ripe. It is about 1 cm across. It has 6 angular seeds.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Chile it grows from sea level to over 2,000 m above sea level. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 400-800 mm mostly in winter. It grows in full sun. It suits hardiness zone 8. It can tolerate some frost and snow. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina (country/location of origin), Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Falklands, Himalayas, India, Northeastern India, Sikkim, South America, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh and used for jams. They are also used for juice.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The fruit are squashed in water and the seeds extracted.

Its other names

Local names

Calafate, Churto, Dene, Magellan barberry, Michay, Palo amarillo

Synonyms

Berberis antucoana C.K.Schneid.; Berberis barilochensis Job; Berberis buxifolia Lam.; Berberis buxifolia var. antarctica C.K.Schneid.; Berberis buxifolia var. gracilior Albov; Berberis buxifolia var. microphylla (G.Forst.) Speg.; Berberis buxifolia var. nuda C.K.Schneid.; Berberis buxifolia var. papillosa C.K.Schneid.; Berberis buxifolia var. spinosissima Reiche; Berberis cuneata DC.; Berberis dulcis Sweet; Berberis heterophylla Juss. ex Poir.; Berberis heterophylla var. pluriflora Reiche; Berberis inermis Pers.; Berberis marginata Gay; Berberis michay Job; Berberis parodii Job;