Chitra
Berberis chitria
Family: Berberidaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 2-4 m tall. It loses many leaves during the year. The leaves occur as 4 in a ring. There are teeth along the edge. The leaves are dull green above and pale yellow-green underneath. The flowers are yellow and in groups. The fruit are oblong and dark reddish-brown. They have several seeds.
Where it is found
It is a subtropical plant. It grows in forests in the Himalayas between 1,500-2,800 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chawa, Chetar, Chochoor, Chutrum, Kashakal