Wilson barberry
Berberis wilsoniae
Family: Berberidaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It loses its leaves in colder places. It grows to 1.5 m high. It spreads with branches arching over and touching the ground. The leaves are small, narrow and without teeth. The tip is rounded. The leaves turn yellow, orange or red. The flowers are yellow. The fruit are pink. The fruit turn red. They are 6 mm across.
There are about 450-500 Berberis species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is best with a light to medium well-drained soil. It is resistant to drought and frost. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Himalayas, China (country/location of origin), Tasmania, Tibet
How it is used for food
The fruit are acidic and can be eaten fresh but are often used in preserves, desserts, pies, chutneys etc. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
It can be grown from hardwood cuttings taken in winter.