Berberis bealei

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mahonia bealei
• Mahonia japonica var. bealei
• Mahonia japonica var. planifolia
• Mahonia bealei var. planifolia
• Berberis magellanica
• Berberis bealei var. planifolia
• Berberis japonica var. bealei

Sources: Wikidata

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, it is identified by the genus Berberis, specifically as the species Berberis bealei.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of Asia. In China, its presence is noted throughout the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Moving further east, it can also be found within the country of Japan. Additionally, the species extends into the Indo-China region, specifically inhabiting Vietnam. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis bealei is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it occupies a distinct altitudinal niche. This species thrives across a broad vertical gradient, typically found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. The plant reaches its optimal ecological presence at a mean elevation of approximately 1250 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-elevation montane zones that likely provide the specific temperature and moisture regimes necessary for its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1250 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Berberis bealei is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a robust presence within its natural habitat. As a long-lived woody shrub, it does not follow the rapid turnover of annuals or the transitional stages of biennials, instead investing in structural longevity and sustained reproductive capacity. Throughout its life cycle, the plant undergoes seasonal shifts in physiological activity, transitioning from periods of vegetative growth to phases of flowering and fruit production. This perennial nature enables it to accumulate biomass and root reserves over many years, ensuring its ability to withstand environmental fluctuations and maintain a stable population within its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis bealei is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. This terrestrial plant is an independent species, not functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting plant that reaches a maximum height of approximately 4 m, with a mean height of 2.25 m and a minimum height of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2.25 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Berberis bealei is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation mechanisms. The plant's vegetative efficiency is supported by its leaf morphology, which displays significant dimensional variability. The leaves exhibit a length that typically averages around 39 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 27 cm to a maximum of 51 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 10 cm and a maximum of 20 cm, providing a substantial surface area optimized for light interception and gas exchange within its physiological framework.

Leaf length max:

51 cm

Leaf length mean:

39 cm

Leaf length min:

27 cm

Leaf width max:

20 cm

Leaf width min:

10 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis bealei culminates in the development of distinct fleshy fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The fruit length is highly consistent, maintaining a mean value of 1.5 cm, which also serves as both its minimum and maximum length. In terms of fruit width, there is a slight degree of variability, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm, resulting in an overall mean fruit width of 1.1 cm.

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.1 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Berberis bealei has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem, root.

Leaf

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
2. Journal of proteomics

Stem

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
2. Journal of proteomics

Root

1. Journal of proteomics

Chemicals

Berberis bealei has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine, Jatrorrhizine, Palmatine, Berbine, Coptisine.

berberine

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Gene
3. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
4. Journal of proteomics
5. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Jatrorrhizine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Palmatine

1. Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Berbine

1. Journal of proteomics

Coptisine

1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Flavonoid

1. Journal of proteomics

Gibberellin

1. Journal of proteomics

salicylic acid

1. Journal of proteomics

Activities

Berberis bealei has 15 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiinflammatory, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiphotooxidative.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of proteomics

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Journal of proteomics

Antiphotooxidative

1. Dr. Duke

Antiplasmodial

1. Dr. Duke

CNS-Depressant

1. Dr. Duke

CNS-Stimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Enterotonic

1. Dr. Duke

Fungicide

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Berberis bealei has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's Disease.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations