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Berberis microphylla
Also called Magellan barberry
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.
Berberis microphylla should not be confused with Mahonia microphylla, native to China.
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. It is also used as an additive in alcoholic beverages such as calafate beer.
Berberis actinacantha · Berberis aemulans · Berberis aetnensis · Salmon barberry · Berberis agricola · Berberis ahrendtii · Berberis alpicola · Berberis amabilis · Berberis amoena · Amur Barberry · Berberis angustifolia · Berberis argentinensis
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Berberis microphylla by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
