Smooth supple-jack
Berchemia lineata

Family: Rhamnaceae

What it is like

A low shrub or climber which grows to 5 m high. The leaves are papery. They are oval and 1-1.5 cm long by 7-9 mm wide. They are rounded at both ends. The flowers are in groups or 2 to many and are at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white. Fruit are about 8 mm across. They are bluish-black and fleshy.

There are 12 Berchemia species.

Where it is found

It grows on rocks at 2,000 to 2,700 m altitude in the Himalayas. Plants can survive frost. It is best with light to medium well-drained soil. It needs a sunny position. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, China (country/location of origin), Europe, Himalayas, Indochina, Japan, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked when black ripe.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings, root cuttings or layering of young stems.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Rhamnus lineatus L.;