Berberidaceae FAMILY

Berberis sikkimensis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

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 sikkimensis is a spiny, semi-evergreen shrub; much branched from the base; it can grow 150 - 250cm tall[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. Sometimes grown as an ornamental, the fruit is edible.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - Himalayas in Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal and southwest China

HabitatFound at elevations of 2,100 - 4,200 metres in the Himalayas. Mixed forests, forest margins and thickets; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,000 metres in Tibet[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ].