Common Name:

General Information

Berchemia flavescens is a deciduous climbing shrub with stems growing around 7 - 8 metres long that scramble over the ground and twine into the surrounding vegetation for support[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas in India, Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet and Bhutan

Habitat

Wet shaded places in forested areas; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,400 metres[]. Often found in thickets or forests on slopes; at elevations from 1,200 - 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a good moist well-drained loam, succeeding in full sun if the soil does not dry out otherwise it is best in light shade[, ].
Suitable for growing along fences, against walls with wire supports or for growing through other shrubs[]. Plants climb by means of twining around supports[].
Flowers are produced on the current years growth[]. It takes almost 12 months from flowering to ripening the fruit[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - eaten raw when fully ripe[]. The sausage-shaped fruit is about 12mm long[]. The purple-red to purple-black, subcylindric fruit is around 7 - 11mm long and 4 - 5mm in diameter - it has a thin layer of flesh with a sour-sweet flavour[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, late autumn to January in a frame.
Root cuttings in winter[].
Layering of young stems in winter[].