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The Calafate bush
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Calafate, the indigenous name for what is known in English as the box-leaved barberry (
berberis buxifolia
), is Patagonia's most famous plant. The bushes are protected by vindictive thorns, and the wood contains a substance known as
berberina
which possesses medicinal properties and is used as a textile dye. From late October onwards, the bushes are covered with exquisite little bright yellow flowers, while depending on where they're growing, the berries mature between December and March. Once used by the indigenous populations for dye, the fresh berries will stain your mouth a virulent purple; they're nowadays often used to make appetizing home-made preserves.
The oft-quoted saying is that "El que come el calafate, volvera" ("He who eats the calafate will return"), although other variants of this impute even greater, cupid-like powers to the berry. Those content to remain single should perhaps resist the temptation Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Argentina,
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