Berberis microphylla facts for kids

Calafate Flower

Quick facts for kids Berberis microphylla
Calafate (Berberis microphylla)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Berberis
Species:	microphylla
Synonyms
Berberis antucoana C.K.Schneid. Berberis barilochensis Job Berberis buxifolia Lam. Berberis cristata (Lam.) Lavallée Berberis cuneata DC. Berberis dulcis Sweet nom. illeg. Berberis heterophylla Juss. ex Poir. Berberis inermis Pers. Berberis magellanica Dippel Berberis marginata Gay Berberis minor J.R.Forst. ex DC. Berberis morenonis Kuntze Berberis parodii Job Berberis rotundifolia Lindl. nom. illeg. Berberis spinosa Comm. ex Decne. Berberis spinosissima (Reiche) Ahrendt Berberis tricuspidata Sm. ex DC.

Fruits in spring

Berberis microphylla, common name box-leaved barberry and Magellan barberry, in Spanish calafate and michay and other names, is an evergreen shrub, with simple, shiny box-like leaves. The calafate is native to southern Argentina and Chile and is a symbol of Patagonia.

The bush grows to a height of 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in). It has many arching branches, each covered in many tripartite spines. The bush has many small yellow flowers in summer. Its edible blue-black berries are harvested for jams, but are eaten fresh too - a legend tells that anyone who eats a calafate berry will be certain to return to Patagonia.

The calafate is grown commercially for its fruit, potential medical uses and as a garden plant or bonsai. Its wood is used to make a red dye. The cultivar Berberis microphylla 'Nana' is widely available as a garden shrub, and is also used in commercial plantings as a low spiny hedge to discourage intruders, but it does not fruit.

Berberis microphylla should not be confused with Mahonia microphylla, native to China.

See also

In Spanish: Berberis microphylla para niños