Common Name:

General Information

Berberis laurina is a spiny shrub growing up to 2 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for food, medicine and dyestuff. An ornamental plant, especially when its hanging flowers are in bloom[[].

Known 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 References

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the warm temperate to tropical zones, found at elevations of 800 metres or more in the tropics.

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. Acid and astringent[].

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is used externally as a compress in the treatment of burns and eczema[].

The leaves are astringent[]. They are used in gargles for treating conditions of the mouth and throat[, ].

The fruits are acid and astringent[]. They are used in the treatment of vitamin C deficiency[].

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid that is universally present in the bark and roots of all Berberis species. It 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 antitumor activity[].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the roots[]. It is used for dyeing cotton[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification[]. 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 until large enough to plant out.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a frame.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, in a frame[].

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