Practical
Plants

Berberis asiatica

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Berberis genus in the family Berberidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or dried and used like raisins[8][13][14][2][6][7]. This species is said to make the best Indian raisins[7]. Fully ripe fruits are fairly juicy with a pleasantly acid flavour, though there are rather a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit is abundantly produced in Britain[8]. The fruit is about 8mm long[9].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots are used in treating ulcers, urethral discharges, ophthalmia, jaundice, fevers etc[11]. The roots contain 2.1% berberine, the stems 1.3%[11]. The bark and wood are crushed in Nepal then boiled in water, strained and the liquid evaporated until a viscous mass is obtained. This is antibacterial, laxative and tonic[12]. It is taken internally to treat fevers and is used externally to treat conjuctivitis and other inflammations of the eyes[12]. Tender leaf buds are chewed and held against affected teeth for 15 minutes to treat dental caries[12]. The fruit is cooling and laxative[12]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[10]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[10]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[10].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Odontalgic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellow dye is obtained from the roots and stems[12]. The spiny branches are used to make fencing around fields in Nepal[12].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Himalayas (Nepal)
Habitat
Shrubberies, grassy and rocky slopes up to 2500 metres[14]. Found in heavy shade, on north-facing slopes[16] and on open hillsides in the drier areas[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[17]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[17], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[18]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[4]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[17].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[3][9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are often found growing in dense shade in the wild[16]. Plants are generally very hardy and fruit abundantly in Britain[8]. They grow very well in Cornwall[3][15]. In colder areas of the country they are apt to be cut to the ground in severe winters, though they resprout well from the base[1][16]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. This species is often offered under the names of B. chitria or B. glaucocarpa[9]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009

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  5. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

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  6. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  12. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  13. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

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  14. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  15. Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.

    ↩

  16. Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  18. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

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