Indian Lycium, Indian barberry
Berberis lycium
Family: Berberidaceae
What it is like
A deciduous shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The stems are slender. There are short spines 25 mm long on the stems. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped and 5 cm long. They are grey-green. Sometimes they have teeth. The flowers are golden yellow. There can be 20 flowers in a cluster. The fruit are black berries with a grey bloom.
There are about 450-500 Berberis species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in cold desert in north India. In the Himalayas it grows between 1,400-3,200 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 6-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Himalayas (country/location of origin), India, Nepal, NW India, Pakistan
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also used in preserves. The young shoots and leaves are used as a vegetable and for a tea-like drink. The flowers are chewed.
Fruit are sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, leaves - tea, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chatroi, Daruhaldi, Kamashal, Kambel, Karai, Kashmal, Kasmal, Kerai, Khemru, Kingor, Kirmora, Kshamal, Kwarey, Lees, Rasaut, Simlu, Sumro, Sunble, Zarch, Zia largay, Zialarge