Berberis napaulensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mahonia napaulensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Berberidaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its range extends from the South-Central areas to the Southeast. It can also be found growing in the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Moving into the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the state of Assam. Finally, its distribution includes the rugged landscapes of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis napaulensis is characterized by its specific distribution within high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives across a significant vertical gradient. This species is primarily found in mountainous terrains, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1200 m AMSL. As the terrain ascends, the plant inhabits various ecological niches, reaching a mean elevation of approximately 2175 m AMSL. The upper limits of its ecological tolerance extend to much higher altitudes, with a maximum elevational range of 3000 m AMSL, indicating its capacity to adapt to the specialized climatic conditions and soil profiles found in high-elevation subalpine or alpine zones.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2175 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis napaulensis is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning as a self-supporting shrub. It exhibits a variable plant height, typically ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 7 meters, with an average height of approximately 3.375 meters. As a terrestrial organism, it grows independently and does not exhibit parasitic behavior. While it possesses self-supporting qualities, its structural development is defined by its woody nature and its classification as a non-climbing, independent shrub.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

3.375 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Berberis napaulensis is characterized by a significant variation in its vegetative morphology, particularly regarding its foliar dimensions which play a crucial role in its photosynthetic capacity and transpiration rates. The leaves exhibit a wide range of longitudinal development, with a minimum length of 17 cm and a mean length of 42 cm, reaching a maximum potential of up to 70 cm. This substantial surface area is complemented by a lateral expansion that varies from a minimum width of 7 cm to a maximum width of 22 cm. Such structural diversity in leaf size suggests an adaptive physiological mechanism to manage light interception and water use efficiency across varying environmental conditions.

Leaf length max:

70 cm

Leaf length mean:

42 cm

Leaf length min:

17 cm

Leaf width max:

22 cm

Leaf width min:

7 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis napaulensis is characterized by its distinct inflorescence and fruit development patterns. The flowering stage features an inflorescence that varies in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that exhibit specific morphological dimensions. The length of these fruits typically ranges from a minimum of 0.9 cm to a maximum of 1 cm, with an average length of approximately 0.95 cm. Concurrently, the fruit width shows significant variability, measuring as little as 0.5 cm at its minimum and reaching up to 0.8 cm at its maximum, resulting in a mean fruit width of 0.625 cm.

Fruit length max:

1 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.95 cm

Fruit length min:

0.9 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.625 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.3 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.07 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Berberis napaulensis 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. Journal of pharmaceutical analysis

Chemicals

Berberis napaulensis has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine, (S)-glaucine, Aporphine, Coumarins, Dihydroberberine.

berberine

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Journal of pharmaceutical analysis

(S)-glaucine

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Aporphine

1. Journal of pharmaceutical analysis

Coumarins

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Dihydroberberine

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Flavonoids

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Glaucine

1. Journal of pharmaceutical analysis

Glycosides

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Grosheimin

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Jatrorrhizine

1. Journal of pharmaceutical analysis

Activities

Berberis napaulensis has 5 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Anticancer

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antifungal

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antimicrobial

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antioxidant

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies