Berberis ulicina

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Berberis kaschgarica

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. Within the order Ranunculales, it is classified under the family Berberidaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Berberis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across several specific regions within Central and East Asia. In Central Asia, its presence is documented in Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, and Tajikistan. Moving eastward, the species can be found in the high-altitude regions of Tibet within China. Additionally, it inhabits the Xinjiang region of China. These diverse locations highlight the specific ecological niches where Berberis ulicina thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berberis ulicina is strictly defined by its high-altitude distribution within montane ecosystems, where it occupies a specific vertical niche. This species thrives across a significant altitudinal gradient, ranging from a minimum elevation of 1900 m AMSL to a maximum peak of 3700 m AMSL. Within this topographical span, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2725 m AMSL, indicating a strong preference for subalpine and alpine environments. These elevations suggest that the plant is adapted to the unique environmental stressors characteristic of high-altitude habitats, such as lower temperatures, increased UV exposure, and potentially thinner atmospheric conditions.

Elevational range max:

3700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2725 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1900 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Berberis ulicina is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. The plant typically reaches a maximum height of 1 meter, with an average height of approximately 0.9 meters, though it can grow as short as 0.6 meters depending on environmental conditions. As a woody species, it possesses a sturdy structural framework consistent with its shrubby habit.

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.9 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological characteristics of the foliage in Berberis ulicina are defined by a specific range of leaf dimensions that reflect its morphological adaptation. The leaves exhibit significant variation in size, with a minimum leaf length of 0.8 cm and a maximum length reaching up to 2.5 cm, resulting in a calculated mean leaf length of 1.625 cm. In terms of lateral expansion, the leaf width is notably narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm. These measurements indicate a relatively small and slender leaf structure, which is characteristic of the plant's developmental patterns and vegetative growth.

Leaf length max:

2.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.625 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

0.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berberis ulicina is characterized by a specific flowering season that typically begins in May and concludes in June. During this period, the plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.015 m to a maximum of 0.03 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit significant morphological variation; the fruit length spans from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm, with an average length of 0.5625 cm. Similarly, the fruit width ranges from 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.6 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.45 cm. The reproductive cycle concludes with the production of seeds, which are remarkably consistent in mass, recorded at a mean, minimum, and maximum of 0.00588 g.

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.5625 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.45 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.03 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.015 m

Seed mass mean:

0.00588 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

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

Oxyberberine

1. Scientific reports