Oblong barberry
Berberis oblonga

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 4 m high. The bark is dark and violet-black. The leaves are leathery and narrowly oval. They are 10 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. They may have teeth around the edge. There can be prickles at the tip. Leaves are greyish-green on the upper surface and bluish underneath. There are 10-50 yellow flowers in a group 15 cm long. Each flower is 11 mm across. The fruit are violet-black berries. They have a bluish bloom. They are 10-15 cm long by 5-7 mm wide.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. In Kazakhstan it grows on stony slopes of mountains. It needs light well-drained soil. It is resistant to drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkestan (country/location of origin), Uzbekistan

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings taken in winter.

Its other names

Local names

Korazirk

Synonyms

Berberis heteropoda var. oblonga Regel;