Berberis chinensis is a deciduous shrub found in areas such as E. Asia - China. A member of the Berberidaceae family, Berberis chinensis Poir does not go by a known (to us) common name. The shrub can grow to a height of meters and up to meters wide. The preferred habitat of Sandy mountain slopes and river sands[74]., with LMH soil and SN moisture levels. .

The plant is a zone 6 hardy plant that has medicinal uses - the medicinal usage rating of is 2Berberine, universally present in rhizomes 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[218]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[218].

Berberis chinensis is 0 plant, whose flowers bloom typically in 6 - 7, and which is pollinated by Insects, self.

The plant has an edibility rating of 1Fruit - raw or cooked[177].

Cultivation tips: Prefers a warm moist loamy soil and light shade but is by no means fastidious, succeeding in thin, dry and shallow soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[184]. Plants can be pruned back quite severely, they resprout well from the base[200]. This species is closely related to B. poiretii. C.K.Schn., differing in its broader leaves and dark red fruits[200]. The range of this plant is often mistakenly given as the Caucasus, this is based on a misidentification[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1].

. The plant should best be propagated by Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame, when it should germinate in late winter or early spring[78]. Seed from over-ripe fruit will take longer to germinate[78], whilst stored seed may require cold stratification and should be sown in a cold frame as early in the year as possible[80]. The seedlings are subject to damping off, so should be kept well ventilated[113]. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame. If growth is sufficient, it can be possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the autumn, but generally it is best to leave them in the cold frame for the winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, preferably with a heel, October/November in a frame[78].

Fruit - raw or cooked[177].