Berberis microphylla seeds grow into the calafate or small-leaved barberry a spiny, spreading evergreen shrub native to the temperate biome of southern South America, from central Chile and Patagonian Argentina south to Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands. Described by G.Forst. (Johann Georg Adam Forster, 17541794, naturalist on Cook’s second voyage). The epithet microphylla means ‘small-leaved’ (from Greek), reflecting the notably small, rounded leaves. The ‘calafate’ is deeply embedded in Patagonian culture a regional legend holds that anyone who eats the calafate berry will return to Patagonia. The dark blue-black berries are edible and used for jams, liqueurs and traditional dyes; plants are an important food source for native birds. Family Berberidaceae.

Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; very cold-hardy and wind-tolerant; adaptable to cool temperate conditions.

• ‘Microphylla’ = small-leaved (Greek); G.Forst. (Forster, Cook’s 2nd voyage naturalist, 17541794)
• ‘Calafate’ Patagonian legend: eat the berry and you will return; dark blue-black edible berries; jams and liqueurs
• S. Chile, Patagonian Argentina to Tierra del Fuego and Falkland Islands temperate biome
• Genus Berberis: ~500 species; Eurasia and Americas; barberries; Family Berberidaceae; Order Ranunculales
• Full sun/partial shade; well-drained soils; very cold-hardy; wind-tolerant; cool temperate; Berberidaceae

Berberis microphylla the calafate is Patagonia’s most beloved native berry, its small blue-black fruits the subject of one of South America’s most charming botanical legends, collected from the wild scrublands of southern Chile and Argentina as a traditional food and dye plant for centuries, and one of the toughest and most cold-tolerant barberries for temperate garden use.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.