Berberis soulieana

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berberis soulieana var. paucinervata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across different continents. Within the vast territory of China, it can be found throughout the South-Central regions. Additionally, its presence extends into the North-Central parts of China. Moving far beyond Asia, the species also occupies specific territories in the Southern Hemisphere. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the North region of New Zealand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis soulieana is characterized by its preference for lowland habitats, where it thrives within specific altitudinal gradients. This species is primarily distributed across an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 600 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 1800 m AMSL. Throughout its natural range, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1200 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptation to the specific climatic and environmental conditions found within these montane or sub-montane transitional zones.

Elevational range max:

1800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Berberis soulieana is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground level. Within this botanical framework, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form that allows it to establish structural dominance in its ecological niche. Regarding its seasonal phenology, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional throughout much of the year rather than shedding all leaves seasonally. This combination of a phanerophyte life form and evergreen characteristics defines its physiological strategy for survival and resource acquisition across its lifecycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis soulieana is characterized by its growth form as a shrub with a distinctly woody structure. This plant typically attains a height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 3 m, with an average plant height of approximately 2 m.

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological architecture of Berberis soulieana is characterized by a distinct foliar morphology that governs its photosynthetic capacity and environmental adaptation. The leaves exhibit significant morphological variability, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm, maintaining a mean length of approximately 6.75 cm. This longitudinal dimension is complemented by a specialized width profile, where leaf thickness fluctuates between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 2.5 cm, resulting in a calculated mean width of 1.2 cm. This specific ratio of length to width suggests a leaf structure optimized for efficient gas exchange and light interception within its natural habitat. The variation in these dimensions reflects the plant's physiological plasticity, allowing it to manage transpiration rates and energy production effectively across varying microclimatic conditions.

Leaf length max:

10 cm

Leaf length mean:

6.75 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.2 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis soulieana is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically facilitated by insects. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces small fruits that vary in dimensions; the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm, with an average length of 0.75 cm. The fruit width is similarly constrained, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm (with a recorded mean width of 0.55 cm), defining the characteristic shape of its reproductive structures. The dispersal of these fruits is characterized by an anthropochorous syndrome, indicating that human activity plays a role in the movement and spread of the species.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.75 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.55 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Berberis soulieana has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine.

berberine

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA