Berberis empetrifolia Lam.

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Berberis empetrifolia' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/berberis/berberis-empetrifolia/). Accessed 2024-03-29.

Other taxa in genus

Glossary

apex
(pl. apices) Tip. apical At the apex.
hybrid
Plant originating from the cross-fertilisation of genetically distinct individuals (e.g. two species or two subspecies).
simple
(of a leaf) Unlobed or undivided.

References

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Credits

Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles

Recommended citation
'Berberis empetrifolia' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/berberis/berberis-empetrifolia/). Accessed 2024-03-29.

A low, evergreen shrub, rarely more than 12 to 18 in. high, with slender trailing branches in this country, but, as seen in Chile, often sturdier and more erect; young shoots red. Leaves 12 to 1 in. long, quite narrow (less than 18 in.), and made to look still narrower by the margins being curled down; the apex is spine-tipped. The leaves arise in tufts from the axils of simple, or three-parted spines, 14 to 12 in. long. Flowers produced singly, or two together at each tuft, golden yellow. Fruit nearly black. Blossoms in mid-May.

Introduced from Chile in 1827 by Messrs Low, then nurserymen at Clapton. Quite distinct from any other barberry in leaf and habit, and the lowest-growing of them all, this little shrub is well worth a place in the rock garden. It is not common, but has played an important part in European horticulture in being one of the parents of the beautiful hybrid – B. × stenophylla. It was originally discovered by Commerson, the French traveller in South America.