Berberidaceae
Barberry Family
Order: Ranunculales ~14 genera, ~700 speciesDefining Characteristics
- Flowers typically 6-merous (petals and sepals in whorls of 2 or 3 each)
- Stamens often equal in number to petals and opposite them
- Berberine (yellow alkaloid) present in many members, especially roots and stems
- Herbaceous perennials or deciduous to semi- evergreen shrubs
- Berry or follicle fruits
- Often with compound or deeply lobed leaves
Notable Genera
- Berberis (barberry)
- Mahonia (Oregon grape)
- Podophyllum (mayapple)
- Caulophyllum (blue cohosh)
- Epimedium (barrenwort)
- Jeffersonia (twinleaf)
Notes
Berberine has documented antimicrobial properties and is used in traditional medicine. Podophyllotoxin from mayapple is a precursor to anticancer drugs (etoposide, teniposide). Several genera are popular ornamental garden plants.
