A contribution to the biological and ecological characteristics of Berberis wallichiana DC. in Vietnam

Abstract

Berberis L. genus is widely used in traditional medicine throughout the world as well as in Vietnam. Their stem and root contain many alkaloid compounds, of which berberine makes up the majority. In Vietnam, Berberis wallichiana DC. is being threatened in the wild with a sharp decline and has been listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007) as “endangeredEN”. We have identified the Berberis wallichiana DC. natural distribution in Bat Xat and Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province. The article describes in detail the morphological characterissics and density of this species and also assesses some ecological factors such as distribution height, temperature, humidity, light intensity, species composition... at places where Berberis wallichiana DC. exists in nature.