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Berberis asiatica - Roxb. ex DC.

Common Name Chutro, Rasanjan (Nep); marpyashi (Newa); Daruharidra, Darbi (Sans)
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Shrubberies, grassy and rocky slopes up to 2500 metres[51]. Found in heavy shade, on north-facing slopes[67] and on open hillsides in the drier areas[146].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas (Nepal)
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Berberis asiatica Chutro, Rasanjan (Nep); marpyashi (Newa); Daruharidra, Darbi (Sans)


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berberis_asiatica_drawing.jpg
Berberis asiatica Chutro, Rasanjan (Nep); marpyashi (Newa); Daruharidra, Darbi (Sans)
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Berberis asiatica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft 6in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or dried and used like raisins[2, 3, 51, 105, 158, 183]. This species is said to make the best Indian raisins[183]. Fully ripe fruits are fairly juicy with a pleasantly acid flavour, though there are rather a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit is abundantly produced in Britain[2]. The fruit is about 8mm long[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Cancer  Dysentery  Laxative  Odontalgic  Ophthalmic  Tonic

The roots are used in treating ulcers, urethral discharges, ophthalmia, jaundice, fevers etc[240]. The roots contain 2.1% berberine, the stems 1.3%[240]. The bark and wood are crushed in Nepal then boiled in water, strained and the liquid evaporated until a viscous mass is obtained. This is antibacterial, laxative and tonic[272]. It is taken internally to treat fevers and is used externally to treat conjuctivitis and other inflammations of the eyes[272]. Tender leaf buds are chewed and held against affected teeth for 15 minutes to treat dental caries[272]. The fruit is cooling and laxative[272]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[218]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the roots and stems[272]. The spiny branches are used to make fencing around fields in Nepal[272].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are often found growing in dense shade in the wild[67]. Plants are generally very hardy and fruit abundantly in Britain[2]. They grow very well in Cornwall[11, 59]. In colder areas of the country they are apt to be cut to the ground in severe winters, though they resprout well from the base[1, 67]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. This species is often offered under the names of B. chitria or B. glaucocarpa[200]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[78]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[78], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[80]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[113]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Aul chotra, Barberry, Choto, Chutro, Kilmora, Kimor, Kingora,

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sikkim,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Roxb. ex DC.

Botanical References

1167200

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