 Holly barberry comprises the understory of lenga "Nothofagus pumilio" and nire "Nothofagus antarctica" woods, together with hard log mayten "Maytenus magellanica", "Fuchsia magellanica" and the smaller barberry species "B. microphylla".The filaments are tactile, i.e.they suddenly jerk upright when touched, with the result that visiting insects will be showered with pollen.