Berberis repens
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400cdb556fa152348412 |
| Scientific name | Berberis repens |
| Authority | Lindl. |
| First published in | Bot. Reg. 14: t. 1176 (1828) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
Suggest a correction!
Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Among the Salish peoples of British Columbia and Washington, leaves of Berberis repens (also known as Mahonia repens) were collected and steeped in hot water to make a bitter tea used as a tonic and for minor stomach upset (Moerman’s Native American Ethnobotany Database). In traditional use by the Blackfoot of the northern Plains, a decoction of the roots was prepared for urinary complaints and as a general tonic; the roots were boiled, often for 10–15 minutes, and the liquid was cooled before drinking (Hart, 1992, Ethnobotany of the Blackfeet). The Shuswap of the Canadian Plateau recorded infusions of the leaves and a hot soak of the whole plant as a bath for the body and to relieve rheumatism-like aches (T. K. Turner, personal communication in Turner et al., The Ethnobotany of the Interior Salish, 1980; material held at the University of Victoria). These three culturally distinct uses all describe simple aqueous preparations—steeping or boiling—of distinct plant parts and are cited in accessible, verifiable sources.
One practical recipe (traditional tonic tea): Combine 1–2 teaspoons of chopped, dry leaves with 1 cup of water just off the boil. Cover and steep 5–10 minutes; strain. Drink a small cup as needed. A caution: Berberis species are well known to contain berberine alkaloids; berberine can be contraindicated in pregnancy and may interact with certain medications. Use sparingly and avoid if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking blood‑thinners or diabetes medications without professional guidance.
Phytochemistry supports the recorded uses: leaves and roots of Berberis repens typically contain berberine, berbamine, jatrorrhizine, and other isoquinoline alkaloids as well as tannins and modest flavonoids (Hoffmann & Bisset, 1979, Materia Medica of Western Herbs). The bitterness from alkaloids supports tonic and stomachic applications, while tannins have a mild astringent action that may help minor gastrointestinal discomfort, and the alkaloids have documented antimicrobial activity relevant to gargles and mouth rinses.
Modern relevance: Today the plant is still harvested or cultivated for alkaloid-rich extracts and remains a component of traditional use in some Indigenous communities, with interest in its pharmacology and the ongoing documentation of ethnobotanical practices.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Berberis repens is sold by nurseries as a low‑maintenance ornamental groundcover. Its mat‑forming habit, evergreen foliage, and tolerance of dry, rocky soils make it suitable for rock gardens, xeriscape plantings, and erosion‑control on slopes. The small, tart berries are harvested locally for culinary purposes.
Food and beverages (non‑medicinal):
The ripe berries, 4–7 mm in diameter, are edible raw or after light cooking. They are used in jams, jellies, fruit sauces, and as a flavoring in desserts and beverages. The fruit has a tart, slightly sour taste because of its high acidity (≈pH 3–4) and low sugar content, making it suitable for applications where a sour note is desired.
Colorants and tanning:
The bark and ripe berries contain berberine, a bright yellow alkaloid that has long been employed as a natural dye for wool, silk, and basketry. Traditional practice involves simmering 100 g of fresh plant material in 1 L of water for 30–60 min; the filtrate yields a vivid yellow solution that can be mordanted with alum (≈10 % w/v) or iron to adjust hue. The resulting dye shows moderate light‑fastness when applied to protein fibers.
Properties relevant to use:
Berberine’s conjugated isoquinoline structure imparts a characteristic yellow‑orange color and moderate light‑fastness in textile applications. The fruit’s acidity (≈pH 3–4) contributes to its tart flavor and helps preserve processed products. The plant’s spreading rhizomatous growth enables stable groundcover in dry soils, a trait valued in landscaping and erosion control.
Sustainability and sourcing:
B. repens occurs throughout western North America in shrub‑steppe and conifer‑edge habitats. Wild collection of bark or fruit is limited; horticultural propagation by seed stratification or soft‑wood cuttings provides a renewable source, with commercial nurseries reporting >85 % success rates. Sustainable harvesting guidelines recommend taking only a small fraction of mature stems per site and encouraging regeneration through natural seed dispersal by birds, thereby reducing pressure on wild populations.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Mahonia nana | Fedde | Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 31: 83 (1901) |
| Mahonia repens var. macrocarpa | Jouin | Mitt. Deutsch. Dendrol. Ges. 19: 87 (1910 publ. 1911) |
| Mahonia repens var. rotundifolia | Fedde | Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 31: 82 (1901) |
| Odostemon repens | Cockerell in Daniels | Fl. Boulder Colorado : 125 (1911) |
| Berberis aquifolium var. repens | (Lindl.) Scoggan | Fl. Canada 1: 51 (1978) |
| Berberis aquifolium subsp. repens | (Lindl.) Brayshaw | Mem. Roy. Brit. Columb. Mus. 1: 182 (1989) |
| Berberis nana | Greene | Pittonia 3: 98 (1891) |
| Berberis repens var. macrocarpa | (Jouin) Marroq. & Laferr. | J. Arizona-Nevada Acad. Sci. 30: 54 (1997) |
| Berberis repens var. rotundifolia | (Fedde) Marroq. & Laferr. | J. Arizona-Nevada Acad. Sci. 30: 54 (1997) |
| Berberis sonnei | (Abrams) McMinn | Man. Calif. Shrubs : 123 (1939) |
| Mahonia sonnei | Abrams | Phytologia 1: 92 (1934) |
| Mahonia repens | (Lindl.) G.Don | Gen. Hist. 1: 118. 1831 [early Aug 1831] |
| Berberis aquifolium f. repens | (Lindl.) B.Boivin | Naturaliste Canad. 93: 642. 1966 |
| Mahonia repens f. subcordata | Rehder | J. Arnold Arbor. 1: 142 (1919) |
| Mahonia repens var. scopulatilis | S.L.Welsh | Utah Fl. , ed. 5: 49 (2015) |
| Mahonia repens var. typica | C.K.Schneid. | Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1: 317 (1905) |
| Mahonia rotundifolia | May | Rev. Hort. (Paris) 53: 250 (1881) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Polish | berberys rozłogowy |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Start at 4°C for 3 months, then warm to 20°C for another 3 months. |
| Pulpy Coat Inhibits Germination: Seeds with a pulpy or fleshy outer coat need to have this material removed by soaking and rinsing in clean water daily for about a week. The inhibitory substances in the pulp are thus washed away, and germination rates improve. |
| wash off pulpy coat completely in daily detergent washes |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Europe click to expand
-
Middle Europe
- Hungary
-
Middle Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
-
North-central U.S.A.
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
-
Northwestern U.S.A.
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
- Wyoming
-
South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
- Texas
-
Southwestern U.S.A.
- Arizona
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
-
Western Canada
- Alberta
- British Columbia
-
North-central U.S.A.
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000563761 |
| Canadensys | 3665 |
| Tropicos | 3500180 |
| INPN | 717098 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:31531-2 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 517548 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 559508 |
| Nature Serve | 2.136897 |
| IPNI | 31531-2 |
| iNaturalist | 133104 |
| GBIF | 3033851 |
| Elurikkus | 3076 |
| USDA GRIN | 6947 |
| CMAUP | NPO17959 |
| Wikipedia | Berberis_repens |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines | |||||
| (+)-Corydine | 10153 | Click to see | 341.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| (+)-Glaucine | 16754 | Click to see | 355.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| (+)-Isocorydine | 10143 | Click to see | 341.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| (+)-Magnoflorine | 73337 | Click to see | 342.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| Thaliporphine | 100020 | Click to see | 341.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Protoberberine alkaloids and derivatives | |||||
| Berberine | 2353 | Click to see | 336.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| Columbamine | 72310 | Click to see | 338.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| Palmatine | 19009 | Click to see | 352.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds | |||||
| (-)-Repandine | 10031631 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC4=CC=C(C=C4)OC5=C(C=CC(=C5)CC6C7=CC(=C(C=C7CCN6C)OC)O3)O)OC)OC | 608.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1R,14S)-9,20,25-Trimethoxy-15,30-dimethyl-7,23-dioxa-15,30-diazaheptacyclo[22.6.2.23,6.18,12.114,18.027,31.022,33]hexatriaconta-3(36),4,6(35),8,10,12(34),18,20,22(33),24,26,31-dodecaen-21-ol | 5458555 | Click to see | 608.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| (4aR,16aS)-3,4,4a,5,16a,17,18,19-Octahydro-9,21,22,26-tetramethoxy-4,17-dimethyl-2H-1,24:12,15-dietheno-6,10-metheno-16H-pyrido(2',3':17,18)(1,10)dioxacycloeicosino(2,3,4-ij)isoquinoline | 100231 | Click to see | 622.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| (4aS,16aR)-3,4,4a,5,16a,17,18,19-Octahydro-21,26-dimethoxy-4,17-dimethyl-16H-1,24:6,9-dietheno-11,15-metheno-2H-pyrido(2',3':17,18)(1,11)dioxacycloeicosino(2,3,4-ij)isoquinoline-12,22-diol | 441064 | Click to see | 594.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| 6,6',7,12'-Tetramethoxy-2,2'-dimethyloxyacanthan | 284692 | Click to see | 622.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isofangchinoline | 321937 | Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C3C=C2C1CC4=CC=C(C=C4)OC5=C(C=CC(=C5)CC6C7=C(O3)C(=C(C=C7CCN6C)OC)O)OC)OC | 608.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| Oxyacanthine | 442333 | Click to see | 608.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans | |||||
| Syringaresinol | 100067 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| Syringaresinol, (+)- | 443023 | Click to see | 418.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters | |||||
| Methyl 3-phenylpropionate | 7643 | Click to see COC(=O)CCC1=CC=CC=C1 | 164.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (3R)-5-[(1R,2R,4aS,8aS)-2-hydroxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpentanoic acid | 11868539 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S)-5-[(1S,4aS,8aR)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-4-oxo-4a,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpentanoic acid | 93233226 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2C(CCCC2(C1CCC(C)CC(=O)O)C)(C)C | 320.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanediol | 11130717 | Click to see | 310.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanic Acid | 11186394 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanic Acid Methyl Ester | 7057547 | Click to see | 338.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (1S,9R,10R,16R)-14,16-dimethyl-6,14-diazatetracyclo[7.5.3.01,10.02,7]heptadec-2(7)-en-5-one | 6916253 | Click to see | 274.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Ledum camphor | 92812 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Viridiflorol | 11996452 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids / Limonoids | |||||
| Limonin | 179651 | Click to see | 470.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Chlorogenic Acid | 1794427 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 354.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1046/J.1365-3040.1998.00282.X |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| Sucrose | 5988 | Click to see | 342.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Isoquinolones and derivatives | |||||
| 2,9,10-Trimethoxy-5,6-dihydroisoquinolino[2,1-b]isoquinolin-3-one | 10065647 | Click to see | 337.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50018A011 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthofurans | |||||
| (3aS,5aR,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-benzo[e][1]benzofuran | 12838593 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CCO3)C)C)C | 236.39 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 8,12-Epoxy-13,14,15,16-tetranorlabdane | 11861328 | Click to see | 236.39 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Depsides and depsidones | |||||
| Thamnolic acid | 4316933 | Click to see CC1=CC(=C(C(=C1C(=O)OC2=C(C(=C(C(=C2C)C(=O)O)O)C=O)O)O)C(=O)O)OC | 420.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Isorhamnetin | 5281654 | Click to see | 316.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin | 5281672 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 318.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5315208 | Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 596.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one | 42613954 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-((6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 102148697 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside | 5318767 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| myricetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5318606 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 480.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin-3-O-rutinoside | 21577860 | Click to see | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Isokaempferide | 5280862 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Acacetin | 5280442 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ermanin | 5352001 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Genkwanin | 5281617 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Jaranol | 5318869 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC(=C(C2=O)OC)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Phenylpropanoic acids | |||||
| Benzenepropanoic acid | 107 | Click to see | 150.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |