Die Berberitze ist ein sommergrüner, ca. 2 m hoch wachsender, dorniger Strauch. Die gelben Blüten sitzen in 5 bis 7 cm langen, hängenden Trauben. Beim Berühren der Staubblätter schnellen diese zum Stempel empor. Die reifen Früchte sind fleischig, blutrot gefärbt, walzenförmig und von stark sauerem Geschmack. Berberis vulgaris (European barberry) is a shrub in the family Berberidaceae, native to central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. It is a deciduous shrub growing up to 4 m high. The leaves are small oval, 2-5 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, with a serrated margin; they are borne in clusters of 2-5 together, subtended by a three-branched spine 3-8 mm long. The flowers are yellow, 4-6 mm across, produced on 3-6 cm long panicles in late spring. The fruit is an oblong red berry 7-10 mm long and 3-5 mm broad, ripening in late summer or autumn; they are edible but very sour, and rich in Vitamin C.
