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Food - Fruit is edible, with a tart flavor. They can be consumed raw or dried. Medicine - A traditional remedy involves crushing its bark and wood, boiling it, and evaporating the liquid into a concentrated solution. This concoction is believed to have antibacterial, laxative, and tonic properties, and is used internally for fevers and externally for eye inflammations.
Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal
It grows well in slopes and valleys of temperate Rhododendron and Quercus forests at altitudes of 1200-2500 m asl.
Produces bright yellow flowers followed by vitamin C-rich berries. Valued for its role in preventing soil erosion in hilly areas.
It is much branched shrub 2-4m tall.
It has pale yellow branches.
Leaves thick, rigid with usually 2-5 spiny teeth, shining dark grcen above and greyish beneath.
It bears pale yellow flowers 10-15 mm across, in clusters that sit below the leaves. These clusters have a flattish top. The flowers have red, hairless stalks and obovate petals with notches at the tips.
Each oblong-ovoid fruit is about 8 mm long. These berries start with a greenish hue, maturing to a glossy, dark purple color.
Flowering: March-May