Berberis jaeschkeana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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 its specific genus, Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several high-altitude regions of Asia. Within China, it can be found growing specifically in the Tibet region. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it inhabits Assam and the East Himalaya. Additionally, the species is documented within the mountainous terrain of Nepal. Finally, its geographical range reaches into the western parts of the Indian Subcontinent in Pakistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis jaeschkeana is characterized by its highly specialized niche within high-altitude environments, specifically defined by its extreme vertical distribution. This species is found at a consistent and narrow elevational range, centered at a mean altitude of 3700 m AMSL. Its habitat is strictly delimited, with its minimum, maximum, and mean elevation all converging at 3700 m AMSL, indicating a precise adaptation to the unique climatic and edaphic conditions present at this specific altitudinal belt. This suggests that the plant is a high-alpine specialist, likely subject to the intense solar radiation, lower atmospheric pressure, and specific temperature fluctuations characteristic of such high-elevation ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

3700 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis jaeschkeana is characterized by its growth form as a shrub, exhibiting a woody structure throughout its development. This plant typically reaches an average plant height of approximately 1.2 m. Regarding its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant, meaning it does not require external support to maintain its upright posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

1.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Berberis jaeschkeana are defined by specific morphological dimensions that govern its photosynthetic surface area and resource acquisition. The leaf architecture exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.1 cm, maintaining an average length of 1.55 cm. Complementing this longitudinal dimension, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 1 cm, resulting in a mean width of 0.75 cm. These precise measurements in leaf length and width indicate a compact foliar structure that likely optimizes light interception and transpiration rates within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

2.1 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.55 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.75 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis jaeschkeana is characterized by specific morphological dimensions of its reproductive structures, particularly within its inflorescence and fruit development. The plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.015 m to a maximum of 0.025 m. Following successful pollination, the resulting fruits exhibit distinct size parameters; the fruit length fluctuates between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 0.9 cm, with an observed mean length of 0.85 cm. Regarding the fruit width, the dimensions are highly consistent, maintaining a minimum, mean, and maximum value of 0.4 cm, indicating a uniform width across the developed fruit.

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.85 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.025 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.015 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Berberis jaeschkeana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Berberis jaeschkeana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Palmatine, berberine.

Palmatine

1. Scientific reports

berberine

1. Scientific reports