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PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: European Barberry
SPECIES / FAMILY: Berberis Vulgaris / Berberidaceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S):
CONDITIONS:
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PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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All |
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Shoots |
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lemony |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Spring |
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Leaves |
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lemony |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Spring |
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Stalk/Stem |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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lemony |
RAW/DRY/COOK |
Fall |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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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
Native to America - Berberis Canadensis https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Berberis+canadensis
Japanese Barberry is the most common in our region - https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Berberis+thunbergii / https://extension.psu.edu/japanese-barberry
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):
tips