Berberis holstii (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007)
From PlantUse English
| Berberis holstii (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) |
Berberis holstii Berberidaceae Indigenous
leaves and fruits
Common names
- Agewgna: Zinkila
- Amargna: Gewo, Yeset af, Zinkila
Ecology
A shrub that grows on the edges and clearings of Juniperus‑Hagenia-Olea forest; very rare in Ethiopia except at a few places in Dry and Moist Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones of Shoa (Wof Washa forest and Menz), Tigray and Welo, 2,300–32000 m.
Uses
Firewood, hedges and very good for construction of rodent repellant teraces.
Description
A high-altitude shrub, spiny and evergreen, usually 2 m. Young branches red to brown.
- BARK: Red-brown becoming dark grey.
- LEAVES: Leathery and stiff, 2–3 cm long, widest at the prickly tip, edge spiny and toothed. Sharp spines with 3–5 parts grow below the leaf clusters at nodes.
- FLOWERS: Yellow, in stalked clusters, sensitive stamens which move upwards and inwards when touched.
- FRUIT: Dark purple, long oval with 1–4 seeds inside.
Propagation
Seedlings, direct sowing at site.
Seed
- Treatment: No special treatment needed.
- Storage: Can store well in dried condition for as long as 6 months.
Management
Trimming as a hedge or letting it grow for cutting the branches to be used later in rodent-repellant terace construction.
