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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1]. A well-flavoured fruit, it has a sweet taste with a blend of acid, though there is a slight bitterness caused by the seeds[194, K]. The fruit is much liked by children[194, K]. It is dried and used like raisins in India[2][3][4][5]. The fruit contains about 2.3% protein, 12% sugars, 2% ash, 0.6% tannin, 0.4% pectin[6]. There is 4.6mg vitamin C per 100ml of juice[6].The fruit is about 7mm x 4mm[6] - it can be up to 10mm long[7]. Plants in the wild yield about 650g of fruit in 4 pickings[6]. Flower buds - added to sauces[4][5].

Flowers

Fruit

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the root and the stem[8][9][10].

An important source of dyestuff and tannin, it is perhaps one of the best tannin dyes available in India[6].

The wood is used as a fuel[11]. The spiny branches are used for making fencing around fields[10].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The dried stem, root bark and wood are alterative, antiperiodic, deobstruent, diaphoretic, laxative, ophthalmic and tonic (bitter)[8][9][12][6][13]. An infusion is used in the treatment of malaria, eye complaints, skin diseases, menorrhagia, diarrhoea and jaundice[13][14]. 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[15]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[15]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[15].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in late winter or early spring[16]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[16]. Stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[17]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Once they are at least 20cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so be careful not to overwater them and keep them well ventilated[18].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very difficult, if not impossible.

Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[16]. Very difficult, if not impossible.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Berberis aristata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[19][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.

Plants are very hardy, they survived the severe winters of 1986-1987 without problems in most areas of Britain[K]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely and resprout well from the base[7]. The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets in India[6].

Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[20]. Most plants cultivated under this name are B. chitria., B. coriaria., B. glaucocarpa. and, more commonly, B. floribunda[21][7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Berberis aristata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Berberis aristata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Berberis aristata
Genus
Berberis
Family
Berberidaceae
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:BerberisAculeata.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.56.66.76.86.9 Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K. Wild Fruits of the Sub-Himalayan Region. Kalyani Publishers. New Delhi. (1982-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.47.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1972-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 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)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. (1993-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    17. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    18. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    20. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    21. ? Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 (1961-00-00)
    22. ? Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)

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    Facts about "Berberis aristata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBerberidaceae +
    Belongs to genusBerberis +
    Has binomial nameBerberis aristata +
    Has common nameChitra +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers + and Fruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Insects + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageBerberisAculeata.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +, Fuel + and Tannin +
    Has mature height3.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAlterative +, Antibacterial +, Antiperiodic +, Bitter +, Cancer +, Deobstruent +, Diaphoretic +, Laxative +, Ophthalmic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageBerberisAculeata.jpg +
    Has search nameberberis aristata + and chitra +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBerberis aristata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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