Berberis dictyophylla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berberis approximata var. campylogyna
• Berberis dictyophylla var. approximata
• Berberis dictyophylla var. campylogyna
• Berberis approximata
• Berberis stiebritziana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Berberidaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is native to specific regions within the diverse landscape of China. Its geographical presence is primarily documented in the South-Central part of the country. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. These two distinct areas represent the known natural range for this medicinal species. Therefore, its distribution is concentrated in these specific Chinese territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis dictyophylla is characterized by its distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a specific vertical niche in the landscape. This species is typically found across an elevational range that begins at 2500 m AMSL and extends to a maximum altitude of 4300 m AMSL. The plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of approximately 3366.67 m AMSL, indicating a strong adaptation to the unique climatic conditions, such as lower temperatures and varying oxygen levels, associated with these high-mountain ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3366.66666666667 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2500 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis dictyophyllla is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 25 meters, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 12.08 meters.

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

12.0833333333333 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Berberis dictyophylla are defined by a distinct range of leaf dimensions that facilitate its metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit a notable variation in longitudinal development, with a minimum length of 1 cm, a mean length of 1.7 cm, and a maximum length reaching up to 2.5 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variance is a specific transverse profile, where leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.4 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm. These morphological parameters suggest a specialized surface-area-to-volume ratio optimized for the plant's specific environmental interactions and photosynthetic efficiency.

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.7 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis dictyophylla is characterized by the production of distinct fleshy fruits that vary in dimension, with fruit lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm, and an average length of approximately 1.07 cm. The width of these fruits also shows variability, measuring between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm, with a mean width of approximately 0.68 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds play a crucial role in the plant's life cycle, exhibiting a consistent seed mass of 0.01139 g, which serves as both the mean, minimum, and maximum value recorded for this specific trait.

Fruit length max:

1.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.06666666666667 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.683333333333333 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.01139 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Berberis dictyophylla has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Jatrorrhizine, Magnoflorine, Palmatine.

Jatrorrhizine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Magnoflorine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Palmatine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Berberis dictyophylla has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diabetic retinopathy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Berberis dictyophylla 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