ForestHarvest: non-timber forest products in Scotland

 PRODUCTS

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)

Family: Berberidaceae

Description

Prickly-stemmed shrub with oval-toothed leaves and three-pointed spines, growing up to 3 metres tall, with 10mm-long red berries.

Habitat

Found in hedges and scrubby ground, tolerant of a wide range of conditions but rare in wheat-producing areas - it is destroyed because it harbours wheat rust.

Uses

Once cultivated for its sharp-flavoured berries, used in pies, jellies and sauces much like cranberries. In the 19th century barberry syrup was recommended for consumptives and other invalids. Some people choose to eat the tart berries raw - sample just a few at first!

Gathering

Gather the fruits in the autumn.