Berberis boliviana
Berberis boliviana
Safety & 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 Description
Berberis boliviana is an erect, much-branched, spiny shrub growing around 250cm tall The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. The fruits are a very rich source of anthocyanins and have been recommended as a natural food colouring that has a range of health benefits[ 1154 Title Characterisation and preliminary bioactivity determination of Berberis boliviana Lechler fruit anthocyanins Publication Food Chemistry 128 (2011) 717-724 Author Carla Del Carpio Jiménez, Carlos Serrano Flores et al Publisher Year 2011 ISBN Description ].