Berberis jamesiana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berberis jamesiana var. leucocarpa
• Berberis leucocarpa
• Berberis nummularia var. sinica

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. It is further classified within the order Ranunculales and the family Berberidaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution localized within certain regions of East Asia. It is primarily documented to grow in the South-Central areas of China. Additionally, its natural habitat extends into the high-altitude landscapes of Tibet. These distinct locations represent the known territories where the species can be found in the wild. Consequently, the range of Berberis jamesiana is concentrated within these specific Chinese provinces.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis jamesiana is defined by its adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it occupies a specific vertical niche within its habitat. This species is primarily distributed across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 2100 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 3900 m AMSL. The plant thrives most consistently at a mean elevation of approximately 2850 m AMSL, a positioning that suggests a preference for the climatic conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability, characteristic of mid-to-high montane zones. This broad elevational range allows the species to encounter diverse microclimates, though its ecological presence is most concentrated within these specific altitudinal parameters.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2850 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2100 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis jamesiana is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting in its structure and does not function as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum height of 3 m, with a minimum height of 1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Berberis jamesiana is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit a diverse range of longitudinal growth, with a minimum length recorded at 2.5 cm and a mean length of approximately 5.25 cm, reaching a maximum extent of up to 8 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation is a specific transverse development, where leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. These dimensional parameters suggest a flexible leaf architecture that allows the plant to optimize surface area for light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

8 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf length min:

2.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis jamesiana is characterized by its distinct inflorescence and fruit morphology. The flowering process occurs via an inflorescence that varies in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 0.1 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits with highly consistent dimensions. The fruit length is uniform, with a minimum, mean, and maximum all measured at 1 cm. In contrast, the fruit width exhibits slight natural variation, with a minimum width of 0.7 cm, a mean width of 0.75 cm, and a maximum width of 0.8 cm.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.07 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Berberis jamesiana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Leaf

1. Molecular biology reports

Chemicals

Berberis jamesiana has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANTHOCYANIN, Flavonoids, phenol.

ANTHOCYANIN

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flavonoids

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

phenol

1. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Activities

Berberis jamesiana has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Iranian journal of basic medical sciences

Antimicrobial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Berberis jamesiana has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves extracts.

Leaves extracts

1. Molecular biology reports