Author
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Finn, Chad |
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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 2/19/2007 Publication Date: 2/1/2008 Citation: Finn, C.E. 2008. Berberis spp., Barberry, Oregon Grape Holly. In: Janick, J. and Paull, R.E., editors. The Encylopedia of Fruits and Nuts. Cambridge, MA. CABI. p. 161. Interpretive Summary: The Encylopedia of Fruit and Nuts is designed as a research reference source on temperate and tropical fruit and nut crops. The Berberidaceae contains many edible fruited species, predominantly in two genera: Mahonia and Berberis. The tremendous diversity within barberry makes it difficult to characterize the genus. The species tend to be found in temperate climates but in a range of environments from very wet to very dry. In general, the plants range in size from short groundcovers to large shrubs or small multi-stemmed trees. The hermaphroditic, insect pollinated flowers and fruit can be borne simply or in clusters. While the fruit color ranges from reds to deep purples and blues, the most commonly eaten species have deep purple to blue fleshy fruit. Very commonly, the fruit are covered with a waxy bloom. The fruit typically ripen in late summer although some of the species that flower in winter ripen their fruit in spring. The fruit have one to several seeds; many species have fruit that are predominantly seed. None of the species are known to produce poisonous fruit although the fruit ranges from unpalatable to tart and so the fruit is most commonly used in processed products such as jams and sauces. The horticultural attributes of the fruit as well as its botany are presented. Technical Abstract: The Encylopedia of Fruit and Nuts is designed as a research reference source on temperate and tropical fruit and nut crops. The Berberidaceae contains many edible fruited species, predominantly in two genera: Mahonia and Berberis. The tremendous diversity within barberry makes it difficult to characterize the genus. The species tend to be found in temperate climates but in a range of environments from very wet to very dry. In general, the plants range in size from short groundcovers to large shrubs or small multi-stemmed trees. The hermaphroditic, insect pollinated flowers and fruit can be borne simply or in clusters. While the fruit color ranges from reds to deep purples and blues, the most commonly eaten species have deep purple to blue fleshy fruit. Very commonly, the fruit are covered with a waxy bloom. The fruit typically ripen in late summer although some of the species that flower in winter ripen their fruit in spring. The fruit have one to several seeds; many species have fruit that are predominantly seed. None of the species are known to produce poisonous fruit although the fruit ranges from unpalatable to tart and so the fruit is most commonly used in processed products such as jams and sauces. The horticultural attributes of the fruit as well as its botany are presented. |
