Berberis dasystachya

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berberis dasystachya var. pluriflora
• Berberis dolichobotrys
• Berberis dielsiana
• Berberis kansuensis
• Berberis kansuensis var. procera

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Berberis dasystachyia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Berberidaceae and falls under the genus Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions of China. It can be found growing in the South-Central areas of the country. Additionally, its habitat extends to the northern reaches within Inner Mongolia. The species also inhabits the North-Central provinces and the high-altitude terrains of Qinghai. Finally, its range reaches into the Southeast region of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis dasystachya is characterized by its ability to inhabit a diverse vertical gradient within montane ecosystems. This species demonstrates significant environmental adaptability, occurring across a broad elevational range that spans from as low as 600 m AMSL to a maximum altitude of 3400 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1883.33 m AMSL, positioning it primarily within mid-to-high altitude ecological zones. This wide altitudinal breadth suggests that the species can tolerate varying climatic conditions, ranging from the warmer, potentially more humid conditions of lower elevations to the cooler, more temperate, or even sub-alpine environments found at its upper limit.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1883.33333333333 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis dasystachya is characterized by its substantial stature, typically presenting as a robust shrub or small tree. The plant exhibits significant variation in its vertical development, with individual specimens reaching a minimum height of 1 m, while the majority of the population maintains an average height of approximately 2.5 m. At its most developed, the plant can achieve a maximum height of up to 3 m. This structural framework supports its characteristic branching patterns and provides the necessary architecture for its foliage and reproductive organs.

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Physiology

The physiological morphology of Berberis dasystachyia is characterized by significant variability in its foliar dimensions, which play a critical role in its photosynthetic efficiency and environmental adaptation. The leaf length within this species exhibits a broad range, starting from a minimum of 2.5 cm and reaching a maximum of 9 cm, with a calculated mean length of approximately 4.92 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. This dimensional plasticity in the leaf blades suggests a physiological capacity to optimize surface area for light interception and gas exchange across varying microclimatic conditions.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length mean:

4.91666666666667 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis dasystachya is characterized by the development of inflorescences that typically range in length from a minimum of 0.025 m to a maximum of 0.07 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit specific morphological variations in size. The length of these fruits varies from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm, with an observed mean length of 0.75 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows significant dimensional diversity, ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 0.508 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.508333333333333 cm

Fruit width min:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.07 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.025 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Berberis dasystachya has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Esters, Jatrorrhizine, Magnoflorine, Palmatine, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

Esters

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Jatrorrhizine

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Magnoflorine

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Palmatine

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

aldehydes

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Berberis dasystachya has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dried barks.

Dried barks

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin