BERBERIS 49 



Berberis vulgaris Linne 1753 European Barberry 



(Latin form of the Arabic name.) 



A spiny shrub, '2-3 meters (6-8 ft.) high, with arched branches, 

 glabrous throughout ; leaves alternate or fascicled, obovate or spatulate, 

 obtuse at the apex, cuneate at the base, bristly serrate, glabrous on both 

 sides, prominently reticulate-veined beneath, 2.5-7 cm. long, .8-2 cm. 

 wide, 1-3-pronged spines (modified leaves) below the fascicles; racemes 

 pendulous, terminating the short shoots bearing the leaves, 4-8 cm. long, 

 many-flowered, flowers yellow, about 8 mm. broad, ill-smelling; petals 

 entire ; fruit an oblong berry, scarlet Avhen ripe, acid, persistent through 

 the winter. 



Frequently planted as a hedge and ornamental shrub. Introduced 

 and naturalized from Europe. In the eastern and middle states, it has 

 become wild, growing in thickets and waste ground. 



Flowers in April and May, fruits in autumn. 



