Barhamase chutro
Berberis wallichiana

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

A spiny shrub. It grows about 3 m tall. The leaves have stalks. They normally occur as 3-4 together. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped. They are divided along the edge with sharp spines. The flowers are yellow. They occur in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a berry. It is oval and deep purple when ripe.

There are about 450-500 Berberis species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in Nepal at 2000-3400 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Hoang-mu, Ngheu-hoa, Tipetere

Synonyms

Berberis asiatica Griffith, not Roxb. ex DC; Berberis wallichiana var. atroviridis Hook.f. & Thomson;