This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Berberis asiatica

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Berberis asiatica has 0 edible uses listed
Berberis asiatica has 0 material uses listed
Berberis asiatica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or dried and used like raisins[1][2][3][4][5][6]. This species is said to make the best Indian raisins[6]. 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[1]. The fruit is about 8mm long[7].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the roots and stems[8]. The spiny branches are used to make fencing around fields in Nepal[8].

Unknown part

Dye

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The roots are used in treating ulcers, urethral discharges, ophthalmia, jaundice, fevers etc[9]. The roots contain 2.1% berberine, the stems 1.3%[9].

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[8]. It is taken internally to treat fevers and is used externally to treat conjuctivitis and other inflammations of the eyes[8]. Tender leaf buds are chewed and held against affected teeth for 15 minutes to treat dental caries[8]. The fruit is cooling and laxative[8].

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].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Cancer
Laxative
Tonic
Ophthalmic
Odontalgic

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, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[11]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[11], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[12]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[13]. 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[11].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Berberis asiatica. 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[14][7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are often found growing in dense shade in the wild[15].

Plants are generally very hardy and fruit abundantly in Britain[1]. They grow very well in Cornwall[14][16]. 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[17][15]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[17]. This species is often offered under the names of B. chitria or B. glaucocarpa[7].

Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Berberis asiatica. 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 asiatica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Berberis asiatica
Genus
Berberis
Family
Berberidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Medicinal uses
[9][8][10]
Material uses & Functions
[8]
Botanic
[14][15][7]
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
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
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
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    moderate
    Mature Size
    3.5 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-5531-7 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press (1945-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    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. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-527-6 (2002-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 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)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    12. ? McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books ISBN 0-901361-21-6 (1985-00-00)
    13. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 (1961-00-00)
    16. ? Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. ()
    17. ? 17.017.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-146" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Berberis_asiatica&oldid=75540"
    Facts about "Berberis asiatica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBerberidaceae +
    Belongs to genusBerberis +
    Has binomial nameBerberis asiatica +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Insects + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateModerate +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye +
    Has mature height3.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Cancer +, Laxative +, Tonic +, Ophthalmic + and Odontalgic +
    Has search nameberberis asiatica +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent 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 asiatica +
    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 +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Berberis asiatica +, Berberis asiatica +, Berberis asiatica +, Berberis asiatica +, Berberis asiatica +, Berberis asiatica +, Berberis asiatica + and Berberis asiatica +