Berberis lycium

Physical Characteristics

Berberis lycium is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June. 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 semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Himalayas

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Tea Fruit - raw or cooked and made into preserves[2, 11, 105, 177, 183]. Fairly juicy with a nice slightly acid flavour[K]. The fruits are about 8mm long[200]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked[2, 177, 183]. Leaves are a tea substitute[177, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Aperient Cancer Carminative Dysentery Febrifuge Ophthalmic The roots are aperient, carminative, febrifuge and ophthalmic[11, 46, 61, 158, 240]. They are used in the treatment of eye complaints, menorrhagia, chronic diarrhoea and piles[240]. The leaves have been used in the treatment of jaundice[240]. 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].

Known Hazards

None known