Nepal mahonia
Mahonia napaulensis

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows to about 3-6 m high. The leaves have stalks. They are alternate and divided into leaflets along the stalk. There are 13-31 narrow leaflets. The leaflets do not have stalks. The leaflets are oval or sword shaped and with sharp spines. The base is unequal. There are teeth along the edge. The flowers have stalks and are yellow. They are in 30 cm long clusters. The fruit is a berry. It is dark blue when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in Nepal between 1400-2900 m altitude. It grows in the forest. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bhutan, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. They are also pickled.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In Sikkim fruit are available March to April.

Its other names

Local names

Albaolxeel, Bhote chotro, Chatri, Chetrok, Chutro, Daruharidra, Diengstem, Jamane mandro, Jamanimandro, Kanchan, Kerbe, Kerpa, Kerpak, Keshri, Khaing-shwe-wa, Khine-shwe-war, Khlusa, Mikusiswan, Mikuswan, Nthou, Samjikhe, Samlikhe, Taming, Tsot-sheng

Synonyms

Berberis nepalensis (DC) Spreng.; Berberis miccia Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don; Mahonia nepalensis DC.; Mahonia sikkimensis Takeda;