Common Name: Chitra

General Information

Berberis aristata is an erect, spiny, evergreen shrub that branches freely from the base; it can grow up to 5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials, the fruits are sometimes sold as a food in local markets[]. It is a commonly used medicinal herb in India, where it is gathered in large quantities from the wild for local use and for trade[]. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it can be used as a hedge.
It is proposed that the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine - this is most concentrated in the roots, stems and inner bark, and least concentrated in the fruits. In small quantities berberine has a range of effective medicinal applications but, in excess, can cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, and other ill-effects.
The fruit of most, if not all, members of this genus are more or less edible and can be eaten in quantity since the levels of berberine in the fruit are very low.

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Himalayas in Nepal.

Habitat

Shrubberies; at elevations up to 3,500 metres[]. Open hillsides; at elevations from 1,800 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Berberis aristata is able to tolerate quite severe winters - it is known to have survived temperatures down to -15°c without damage[].
Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but it is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils[, ]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Plants can be pruned back quite severely and resprout well from the base[].
Plants in the wild yield about 650g of fruit in 4 pickings[].
The fruits are sometimes sold in local markets in India[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[]. Most plants cultivated under this name are Berberis chitria., Berberis coriaria., Berberis glaucocarpa. And, more commonly, Berberis floribunda[, ].
Some Berberis species (especially Berberis vulgaris) harbour the black stem-rust fungus (Puccinia graminis Persoon). This is a major disease of wheat and barley crops and can spread from infected barberries to the grain crop. The sale or transport of susceptible or untested species of Berberis is illegal in the United States and Canada[]. This species has been found to be susceptible to the disease[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. A well-flavoured fruit, it has a sweet taste with a blend of acid, though there is a slight bitterness caused by the seeds[, ]. The fruit is much liked by children[, ]. It is dried and used like raisins in India[, , , ]. The fruit contains about 2.3% protein, 12% sugars, 2% ash, 0.6% tannin, 0.4% pectin[]. There is 4.6mg vitamin C per 100ml of juice[].The dark purple to black, oblong-ovoid fruit is about 7 - 10mm and 4mm wide[, , ].

Flower buds - added to sauces[, ].

Medicinal

Berberis aristata is one of the more important medicinal herbs of the Himalayas, with most parts of the plant being employed to treat a range of complaints[].

The dried stem, root bark and wood are alterative, antiperiodic, deobstruent, diaphoretic, laxative, ophthalmic and tonic (bitter)[, , , , ]. An infusion is used in the treatment of malaria, eye complaints, skin diseases, menorrhagia, diarrhoea and jaundice[, ].

The alkaloid berberine, which is universally present in the roots and stems 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[].
It should not be used in combination with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[].
Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals; mark out land boundaries; whilst also providing a range of medicinal and other uses[]. The spiny branches are also cut from plants and interwoven into hedges and also used for making fencing around fields[].

Other Uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the root and the stem[, , ].
An important source of dyestuff and tannin, it is perhaps one of the best tannin dyes available in India[].

The wood is used as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in late winter or early spring[]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[]. Stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first winter. Once they are at least 20cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so be careful not to overwater them and keep them well ventilated[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very difficult, if not impossible.
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, autumn in a frame[]. Very difficult, if not impossible.