Berberis capillaris
At a glance
- Lifecycle
- Perennial (hardy)
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Frost limit
- −12.2 °C
Cultivation
Prefers a warm moist loamy soil but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils. This species does not do well in the colder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -5 to -10°c. Plants can be pruned back quite severely and will resprout well from the base. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. This species is closely related to B. angulosa.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring. 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, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame. Layering.
Edible uses
The following report is for the closely related B. angulosa - it quite possibly can also be applied to this species[K]. The fruit of this species is said to be somewhat larger than that of B. angulosa, with fruits up to the size of a cherry. Fruit - raw or cooked. The relatively large berries are freely borne and are more palatable than most barberries. The fruit is about 15mm long and 8mm wide.
Medicinal uses
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, 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.
Material uses
A yellow dye is obtained from the root.
Habitat
Not known
Native range
E. Asia - China to Burma.