Łódź, Park Klepacza

Native to Japan, but spread worldwide; possibly invasive plant! Ornamental plant. Edible plant - fruits raw or cooked; leaves cooked. Herbal plant - roots' bark is anthelmintic, antiseptic and febrifuge; the alkaloid berberine, which is universally present in the roots and stems of Berberis species, has marked antibacterial effects; since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery; berberine has also shown antitumour activity (!). Usable plant - can be grown as a medium-size hedge; as it is very tolerant of trimming and have prickles which make them an effective barrier to larger creatures; a yellow dye is obtained from the root and branches.