DICOTYLEDONOUS PLANTS 



339 



BEKBEEiDACEiE (Barberry Family). — Shrubs or perennial 

 herbs; leaves alternate; flowers regular, usually three^merous ; 

 sepals and petals imbricated in the bud ; stamens as many as the 

 petals and opposite them; anthers opening by hinged valves; 

 pistil single ; style short ; fruit a berry or pod. 



Fig. 177. — May-apple. 



This includes the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) 

 (Fig. 176), which has been introduced from Eiirope, a shrubby, 

 thorny plant bearing flowers and fruits, in racemes. It is used 



