Berberis microphylla | |
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Calafate (Berberis microphylla) | |
Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Berberidaceae |
Genus: | Berberis |
Species: | B. microphylla
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Binomial name | |
Berberis microphylla
G. Forst. 1789
| |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Berberis microphylla, common name box-leaved barberry [2] and Magellan barberry, [3] in Spanish calafate and michay and other names, [4] is an evergreen shrub, with simple, shiny box-like leaves. The calafate is native to southern Argentina and Chile and is a symbol of Patagonia. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Berberis microphylla should not be confused with Mahonia microphylla, native to China. [11]
The bush grows to a height of 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in). It has many arching branches, each covered in many tripartite spines. The bush has many small yellow flowers in summer. It produces blue-black berries.
Its edible blue-black berries are harvested for jams, but are eaten fresh too - a legend tells that anyone who eats a calafate berry will be certain to return to Patagonia. [12] It is also used as an additive in alcoholic beverages such as calafate beer. [13]
The calafate is grown commercially for its fruit, potential medical uses [3] and as a garden plant or bonsai. Its wood is used to make a red dye. The cultivar Berberis microphylla 'Nana' is widely available as a garden shrub, and is also used in commercial plantings as a low spiny hedge to discourage intruders, but it does not fruit. [14]
Berberis microphylla | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Calafate (Berberis microphylla) | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Ranunculales |
Family: | Berberidaceae |
Genus: | Berberis |
Species: | B. microphylla
|
Binomial name | |
Berberis microphylla
G. Forst. 1789
| |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Berberis microphylla, common name box-leaved barberry [2] and Magellan barberry, [3] in Spanish calafate and michay and other names, [4] is an evergreen shrub, with simple, shiny box-like leaves. The calafate is native to southern Argentina and Chile and is a symbol of Patagonia. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Berberis microphylla should not be confused with Mahonia microphylla, native to China. [11]
The bush grows to a height of 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in). It has many arching branches, each covered in many tripartite spines. The bush has many small yellow flowers in summer. It produces blue-black berries.
Its edible blue-black berries are harvested for jams, but are eaten fresh too - a legend tells that anyone who eats a calafate berry will be certain to return to Patagonia. [12] It is also used as an additive in alcoholic beverages such as calafate beer. [13]
The calafate is grown commercially for its fruit, potential medical uses [3] and as a garden plant or bonsai. Its wood is used to make a red dye. The cultivar Berberis microphylla 'Nana' is widely available as a garden shrub, and is also used in commercial plantings as a low spiny hedge to discourage intruders, but it does not fruit. [14]