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Berberis vulgaris 'Atropurpurea' 001.JPG    Berberis vulgaris munich.JPG
 

NAME: European Barberry

SPECIES / FAMILY:  Berberis Vulgaris / Berberidaceae

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): 

CONDITIONS:
 

PARTS:

EDIBLE cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

TASTE

RAW/COOK

SEASON

All

 

 

 

 

Shoots

tips

lemony

RAW/DRY/COOK

Spring

Leaves

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

lemony

RAW/DRY/COOK

Spring

Stalk/Stem

 

 

 

 

Buds

       

Flowers

 

 

 

 

Fruits

cid:image001.jpg@01D3EC3E.A305A520

lemony

RAW/DRY/COOK

Fall

Pods

 

 

   

Seeds

 

 

 

 

Nuts

 

 

 

 

Roots

 

 

 

 

Bark

 

 

 

 

 

PORTION:

 

COMMENT:  Fruit - has a lemon flavor, like sorrels, mainly used in preserves, drinks, or raw. Young leaves - used as a flavouring or as an acid nibble. They can be used in much the same way as sorrel (Rumex acetosa). The dried young leaves and shoot tips make a refreshing tea.(1)

RELATED SPECIES: distinguish between Japanese barberry and other species https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=636836

CAUTION: 

 

NUTRITION/MEDICINAL:  https://www.webmd.com / https://draxe.com/  Antibacterial;  Antidiarrhoeal;  Antipruritic;  Antirheumatic;  Antiseptic;  Antispasmodic;  Appetizer;  Astringent;  Cancer;  Cholagogue;  Diaphoretic;  Diuretic;  Expectorant;  Hepatic;  Homeopathy;  Laxative;  Ophthalmic;  Purgative;  Refrigerant;  Stomachic;  TB;  Tonic.(1)

 

LOOK-A-LIKES:  

 

POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES: 

 

OTHER USES: A good quality yellow dye is obtained from the roots, bark and stem. As well as being used on cloth, it is also used to stain wood. The unripe fruit is dried and used as beads. Wood - soft, very hard, fine grained, yellow. Used for carving, toothpicks, mosaics etc. It is also used as a fuel.(1)

 

SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):

  1. https://pfaf.org/User/plant.aspx?LatinName=Berberis+vulgaris
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berberis_vulgaris
  3. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-use-barberries-in-your-cooking#how-to-cook-with-barberries
  4. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014995-bulgur-salad-with-greens-barberries-and-yogurt