Scientific Name:
Berberis microphylla
( syn.
B. buxifolia
)
Pronunciation:
BUR-bur-iss my-kro-FIL-uh
Common Name:
box leaf barberry, dwarf Magellan barberry
Family Name:
Berberidaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen, Semi-evergreen
Key ID Features:
Shrub dense, mounding, evergreen; three pointed spine at nodes; leaves alternate, obovate, most blades 1-3cm long x 0.4-1.2cm wide, dark green, single 0.5mm spine at tip; flowers 1-1.5cm wide, 6 yellow sepals, petals, and stamens, April-May. Winter ID: three-point spiny stipule up to 12mm wide; each node can have several round leaf scars and ovoid buds.
Habit:
Arching, Dense
Form:
Mounded, Round
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
Garden origin, South America (southern Chile, Argentina)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 6: (-23 to -18 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Rocky or gravelly or dry, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate, Low
Landscape Uses:
Alpine, Filler, Group or mass planting, Hedge row, Rock garden, Security/barrier, Sheared hedge, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Google. Most images are of B. 'Pygmaea' (syn. B. 'Nana').
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Prickly, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Lustrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Aristate, Mucronate, Obtuse
Bases:
Acute
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Flowers paired, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
6
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May
Additional Info:
The 6 sepals are also yellow
Fruit Type:
Berry (true), Edible
Fruit Colour:
Violet, Dark-red
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul
Additional Info:
Showy, Edible
Bark Morphology:
Smooth, Multi-stem trunk
Bark or Stem Colour:
Tan, Brown
Leaf Bud Type:
Accessory (collateral), Ovoid
Leaf Scar Shape:
Round
Organ Modifications:
Stipule (pointy spines)
Propagation:
Greenwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Maintenance:
Low
Other:
Prune back hard to maintain small size.
Pest Susceptibility:
Dieback, Fungal leaf spot, Mites, Root rot, Scale insects (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- HORT 2355
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (GAZ) GAZebo
- (GAZS) GAZebo South : q.1
- (GAZW) GAZebo West : q.1 cv. Pygmaea