Berberis chochoco[3][4] is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 9 m (30 ft) tall, in the genus Berberis, family Berberidaceae. It is native to mountainous regions of northeastern Mexico, in the states of Nuevo León, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosí.[5]

Shoshoko barberry
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Berberis
Species:
B. chochoco
Binomial name
Berberis chochoco
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Mahonia chochoco (Schlecht.) Fedde
  • Odostemon chochoco (Schlecht.) Standl.
  • Chrysodendron tinctorium Terán & Berland.
  • Mahonia tinctoria (Terán & Berland.) I.M. Johnst.
  • Chrysodendron tinctorium var. oblongifolium Terán & Berland.
  • Chrysodendron tinctorium var. latifolium Terán & Berland.
  • Chrysodendron tinctorium var. longifolium Terán & Berland.

The evergreen leaflets are oval to oblong, 35–55 mm (1.4–2.2 in) long, shiny with conspicuous venation. Fruits are blue. Wood is yellow and used for dyeing and tanning.[6]

Taxonomy edit

The compound leaves place this species in the group sometimes segregated as the genus Mahonia.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

One obscure and long overlooked publication created a monospecific genus for this species, calling it Chrysodendron tinctorium. The same publication also erected three varieties based on minor variations in leaf shape.[1][13][14][15]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Laferrière, Joseph E. 1995. Proposal to reject the name Chrysodendron tinctorium (Berberidaceae). Taxon 44:634.
  2. ^ Tropicos Berberis chochoco
  3. ^ Schlechtendal, Diederich Franz Leonhard von. Botanische Zeitung (Berlin) 12: 652 652 1854.
  4. ^ Freie Universitat Berlin, Type specimens at Herbarium Berolinense, Mahonia chochoco
  5. ^ Marroqín, J.S. 1972. Berberidáceas de México I. Cuadernoes del Instituto de Investigación Científica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León 15:1-21.
  6. ^ Stanley, P.C. 1922. Trees and Shrubs of Mexico. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 23(2).
  7. ^ Flora of North America, vol 3
  8. ^ Loconte, H., & J. R. Estes. 1989. Phylogenetic systematics of Berberidaceae and Ranunculales (Magnoliidae). Systematic Botany 14:565-579.
  9. ^ Marroquín, Jorge S., & Joseph E. Laferrière. 1997. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa from Mahonia to Berberis. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 30(1):53-55.
  10. ^ Laferrière, Joseph E. 1997. Transfer of specific and infraspecific taxa from Mahonia to Berberis. Bot. Zhurn. 82(9):96-99.
  11. ^ Marroquin, J. S. 1993. Berberidaceae. Flora de Veracruz 75: 1–16.
  12. ^ CONABIO. 2009. Catálogo taxonómico de especies de México. 1. In Capital Nat. México. CONABIO, Mexico City.
  13. ^ Terán & Berlandier. 1832. Memorias de la Comisión de Límites. Matamoros.
  14. ^ Berlandier, J. L. 1980 Journey to Mexico During the years 1826 to 1834. University of Texas Press, Austin.
  15. ^ Laferrière, Joseph E. 1995. Lectotypes of Berberis chochoco and its synonyms. Phytologia 78(3):214-216.