Indian barberry, Nepal Barberry
Berberis aristata

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

A spiny deciduous shrub. It grows to 3-5 m high. The branches are usually red. The leaves are almost without stalks. They are clustered together and are 2-7 cm long by 0.5-2 cm wide. The are oval with 3 pronged spines. Leaves are smooth and taper to the base. They can have teeth along the edge and be spiny. The flowers are yellow and drooping. The fruit is oval and blue-black when ripe.

There are about 450-500 Berberis species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in Nepal between 1800-3000 m altitude. It grows on open hillsides. It suits moist places. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Britain, Europe, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit is eaten raw and also pickled. They are used in preserves, desserts and sauces. The fruit are dried and eaten. Alcohol is distilled from ripe fruit. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. The flower buds are used in sauces. The seeds are roasted and pickled.

Fruit are sold in local markets. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, twigs

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Akhray, Barberry (Zirishk), Chitra, Chompairaim, Chotto, Chutro, Chutrum, Dar-hald, Darhaldi, Daruhald, Daruhalli, Darukaridra, Gruch, Himalayan berberry, Kanchan, Karya, Kashmal, Kimor, Kingor, Kyerkar, Kyerwa, Marpyashi, Musa lede, Nepal Berberis, Pichyar, Rasanjan, Rasaut, Shamle, Simlu, Tishya, Trikhula

Synonyms

Berberis bussmul K. Koch ex Miq.; Berberis chitria D. Don [Illegitimate]; and several others Berberis coriaria;