Amur barberry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Amur barberry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berberis vulgaris var. amurensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Berberidaceae. Finally, its taxonomic designation is completed within the genus Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the eastern reaches of the Asian continent. In the Russian Far East, it can be found growing across several distinct regions, including Amur and Khabarovsk. Its presence extends further south into the Primorye territory and across the island of Sakhalin. Beyond the Russian borders, the species also inhabits parts of China, specifically within the Inner Mongolia region. Together, these locations define the natural geographical range of Berberis amurensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis amurensis is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse microhabitats, specifically occupying forest edges, riparian zones near rivers, and rugged, stony places. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, finding suitable growing conditions across a significant vertical gradient. It is typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 700 m AMSL to a maximum of 2850 m AMSL, maintaining a mean elevational range of approximately 1672.5 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2850 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1672.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest edges, rivers, stony places

Life history

The life history of Berberis amurensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are elevated on woody stems above the ground level, which facilitates its structural development and survival in its natural habitat. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes. Furthermore, its growth habit can be classified as a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its specific scale and stature within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis amurensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. This terrestrial plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3.5 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 2.375 meters. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a stable presence within its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3.5 m

Plant height mean:

2.375 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Berberis amurensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the standard Calvin cycle, typical of many woody deciduous shrubs in temperate climates. The vegetative morphology of the plant is closely tied to its energy production capabilities, manifested through its leaf dimensions. The leaves exhibit significant morphological variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining a mean leaf length of 5.625 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 5 cm, providing a varying surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.625 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis amurensis is characterized by its bisexual sexual reproduction method, facilitating the development of its floral and fruiting structures. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of May, marking the onset and conclusion of its blooming cycle. During this phase, the plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.03 m to a maximum of 0.1 m. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits with specific morphological dimensions: the fruit length typically measures a mean of 0.95 cm, with a minimum of 0.9 cm and a maximum of 1 cm. Simultaneously, the fruit width shows a mean of 0.575 cm, spanning a range from a minimum of 0.55 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm.

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit length min:

0.9 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.575 cm

Fruit width min:

0.55 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.03 m

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Berberis amurensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BERBAMINE.

BERBAMINE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of Asian natural products research

Conditions

Berberis amurensis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include hepatocellular carcinoma, leukemia.

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Leukemia

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Preparations

Berberis amurensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Berbamine.

Berbamine

1. Journal of Asian natural products research