Kilmora : A Wild Edible Potential Nutraceutical Fruit in In dian Himalayan Region

Introduction In Indian Himalayan Region over 675 wild edibles are known (Samant and Dhar, 1997) of which Berberis asiatica D.C (family Berberidaceae), commonly known as “Kilmora”, is highly valued wild edible fruits growing between 900 and 2100m above sea level (asl). This species is commonly occurring in the Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh at 600-2,700 m eastwards to Bhutan and Assam at 1,500-1,800 m and on Parasnath hills in Bihar, Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh and Mount Abu in Rajasthan. In Uttarakhand, kilmora is found mainly in the hilly regions of Almora, Champawat, Devidhura, Sheharphatak and Lohaghat. It is a pretty shrub 1.8 to 2.4 m in height, armed with trifid spines, oblong-ovate or obovate, acute, mucronate, long-petioled leaves with aristato-dendate margin, yellow flowers in umbellate racemes and oblong-ovoid edible berries. It is also grown in hedges. The alkaloids present in the plant are: Berberine and Palmatine which are present in the form of chlorides (Wealth of India, 1988).