A passage from Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest:
Berberis haematocarpa is a large many–branched shrub obtaining 12’ in height. Each leaf is comprised of 3–7 lanceolate leaflets with 1 terminating the group. Flowers are yellow and 6–petaled. At maturity, the berries are pea–sized, red, and juicy.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Arizona:
The two species are not easy to tell apart. Berberis fremontii’s terminal leaflet is wider then B. haematocarpa’s elongated leaflet. Other characteristics (and edibility) are basically identical.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of New Mexico:
A summertime berry, Hollygrape’s fruit are edible raw. They are a unique combination of sweet, tart, and slightly bitter – not at all unpleasant.
A passage from Sonoran Desert Food Plants:
Most American Indians in the area utilized the berries
as a seasonal–supplemental food.
A passage from Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest:
Food poisoning from a variety of pathogens will be remedied. Not only is Desert barberry, like Oregongrape, directly inhibiting to these microbes, it also reduces the harmful effects of related endotoxins. Combine Desert barberry with Peppermint or Ginger if there is nausea or intestinal cramping and with Slippery elm or Marshmallow if irritative diarrhea is evident.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Arizona:
A summertime berry, Hollygrape’s fruit are edible raw. They are a unique combination of sweet, tart, and slightly bitter – not at all unpleasant.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of New Mexico:
Dry the berries (insignificant seeds) for a snack or trail mix addition. As a jelly base, they are equally fine.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Utah:
Hollygrape is found on exposed rocky slopes and hillsides at low to middle elevations (up to about 7500’). Preferring chaparral–scrub and high desert associations, Hollygrape is commonly intermingled with Juniper and Pinyon.
A passage from Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest:
Although bitter, it makes an effective gargle for bacterial–derived pharyngitis. The nasal wash or repeated gargle is a sound treatment for sinusitis as well. Combined with internal use (along with Echinacea or Myrrh) its upper–respiratory cold–fighting power should not be underestimated.
A passage from Wild Edible Plants of Texas:
Pleasant and refreshing, the berries can be eaten directly from the bush, prepared as a jam/jelly, or dried for later use. Most American Indians in the area utilized the berries as a seasonal–supplemental food.
Author, Researcher, Clinician. Latest titles: Wild Edible Plants of Oklahoma, 2nd ed., Wild Edible Plants of Arizona, 2nd ed., and Wild Edible Plants of Arkansas, 2nd. ed.
