Łódź, Botanical Garden

Synonym 'Berberis fascicularis', 'Mahonia aquifolium'. It is native and relatively common in western North America, from Alberta south through California into northern Mexico. Ornamental plant. Edible plant - fruit raw or cooked, can also be dried and stored for later use; flowers raw, they can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink. Herbal plant - was often used by several North American Indian tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility (!); roots and their bark are alterative, antibacterial, antioxidant, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and tonic; is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions; externally, it is used in the form of a cream to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, whilst a decoction has been used as a gargle for treating sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes; fruits are an excellent gentle and safe laxative. Usable plant - can be grown as a low hedge that does not need trimming; a yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots; dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruits; a green dye is obtained from the leaves.