Plant Details

Berberis wilsoniae

Wilson's barberry

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Berberis wilsoniae.

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Common names

9 names · 7 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Mrs. Wilson's Barberry[1]
  • Wilson's barberry
Other languages (6)
Dutch
  • Wilsons berberis[1]
  • Zuurbes
French
  • Épine-vinette de Wilson
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 金花小檗[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 金花小檗[1]
Czech
  • dřišťál Wilsonové[1]
Slovak
  • dráč Wilsonovej[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Berberis wilsoniae — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Mrs. Wilson's Barberry — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 447897; Berberis wilsoniae.
  • dřišťál Wilsonové — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 447897; Berberis wilsoniae.
  • 金花小檗 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 447897; Berberis wilsoniae.
  • 金花小檗 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 447897; Berberis wilsoniae.
  • dráč Wilsonovej — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 447897; Berberis wilsoniae.
  • Wilsons berberis — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 447897; Berberis wilsoniae.

General information

Scientific name: Berberis wilsoniae
Accepted name (Kew): Berberis wilsoniae Hemsl. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Berberidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Berberis (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Wilson's barberry

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub, Herbaceous
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5-9
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Dye

Description

The fruit can be eaten both raw and cooked. It has a sour taste similar to lemon and is a good addition to muesli. Children and some adults enjoy the fruit raw, especially in small amounts. However, most adults prefer to cook it and use it in pies, jam, etc. The fruits are about 6 mm long.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/09
Harvest ends: 15/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1324406; name ID 2673360; Berberis L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 762803; name ID 2674666; Berberis wilsoniae Hemsl..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Berberis wilsoniae

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 4995744, ID LKC5: Berberis wilsoniae Hemsl. (accepted).

    Source checked on .