General description:- Shrubs or herbs.
Leaves:- Alternate or basal.
Flowers:- Hermaphrodite, (2)3-petalled (-merous). Perianth-segments 6-9, in 3 or 4 whorls, at least the inner ones petaloid; honey-leaves 4-6, petaloid or nectariform. Stamens 4-6, opposite the honey-leaves; anthers, splitting open to release the seeds (dehiscing) by apically-hinged valves. Carpel solitary, superior.
Genus;- BERBERIS
General description:- Shrubs; wood bright yellow.
Leaves:- On long shoots (in European species) transformed into spines, simple or with 3 or 5.hand-like (palmate) divisions to the base. Foliage-leaves simple (deciduous in European species), clustered on short shoots in the axils of the spines.
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Flowers:- In racemes, sometimes condensed to small, umbel-like clusters. Perianth-segments usually 9; the 3 outermost (sometimes interpreted as bracteoles) small and sepaloid, the 6 inner bright yellow, petaloid; honey-leaves petaloid, similar to the inner perianth-segments. Stamens 6, usually sensitive to touch.
Fruit:- A 2-seeded berry.
Key features:-
1) Shrubs.
2) Fruit a berry.
3) Leaves simple.