| Berberis microphylla | |
|---|---|
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| Calafate (Berberis microphylla) | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Berberidaceae |
| Genus: | Berberis |
| Species: |
B. microphylla
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| Binomial name | |
| Berberis microphylla G. Forst. 1789 | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Berberis microphylla, common name box-leaved barberry[2] and Magellan barberry,[3]inSpanish calafate and michay and other names,[4] 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.[5][6][7][8][9][10] Berberis microphylla should not be confused with Mahonia microphylla, native to China.[11]
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. It produces blue-black berries.
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.[12] It is also used as an additive in alcoholic beverages such as calafate beer.[13]
The calafate is grown commercially for its fruit, potential medical uses[3] 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.[14]
| Berberis microphylla |
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