Berberis, commonly known as barberry, is a large genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs from 1–5 m tall, found throughout temperate and subtropical regions of the world.
Barberry ordinary - strongly branched, prickly shrub, 1.5 - 2.5 m high, with horizontal lignified rhizomes, from which departs a fairly large main root with side branches. Shoots are numerous, erect, yellowish or yellowish-purple, later whitish-gray. Buds up to 1 mm long, sharp, glabrous, surrounded by expanded remaining leaf sheaths. On shortened shoots develop normal leaves, on elongated ones instead of leaves-spines, including 3-5, usually 3, less often 5 separate, 1 - 2 cm long. Leaves - alternate, back - ovate or elliptical, up to 4 cm long, 2 cm wide, wedge-shaped narrowed to the base, with a rounded, rarely somewhat pointed tip, small-and sharp-toothed-sawn, on short petioles. Brushes 15 - 25 flowered, up to 6 cm long. The flowers are yellow, 6 - 9 mm in diameter, in axillary drooping racemes. The brush consists of 15-25 flowers. Each flower has six back-ovate sepals and petals. At the base of the flower - bright orange nectaries. The single pistil, stamens many.
Formula of barberry flower: H3+3L3+3T∞P1.
Fruit-berry, oblong-elliptical, bright red or purple, up to 12 mm long, has a sour taste. Seeds are 4 - 5 mm long, somewhat flattened and narrowed at the top. Blooms in April-may. The fruit is edible and ripens in September and October.