common barberry Berberidaceae Berberis vulgaris

Leaf:Alternate (appear 3 to 5 whorled along twigs), simple, oval to obovate, finely spinose margin (typically 20 to 30 small spines up one side of leaf), 1 to 2 inches long, dull green to gray green.
Flower:Dangling clusters of small (1/3 inch) yellow flowers, appearing in mid-spring.
Fruit:Dangling clusters of 1/3 inch long egg-shaped red berries; edible but sour, ripen in fall and persist through the winter.
Twig:Slender, red brown, 3-parted thorn at each node, buds small, yellow inner bark.
Bark:Gray to reddish gray with shallow splits; inner bark yellow.
Form:Medium sized multi sucker shrub reaching up to 12 feet tall, arching branches.

leaf flower twig bark form map

Notes: