Valde similis Berberis lycio Royle sed statura brevissima, ramulis brevibus nec tenuibus, internodis et foliis brevibus, infructescentiis brevibus subsessilibus, fascicularibus, 2-5-fructis et fructu brevi, subgloboso, 3-5 mm longo differt.
Stem and branches whitish or pale, subterete, short, subspreading, almost glabrous; internodes short, congested, c. 1 cm long; spines weak, 3-fid, 5-10 (-15) mm long. Leaves 10-20 mm long, 3-6 mm broad, subsessile or sessile, entire to 1-2-spinulose at margin, pale subpruinose below, acute-spinulose at apex. Infructescence 2-5-fruited, fascicled or subfascicled, up to 1 cm long. Berries subglobose, 3-5 mm long, black but whitish-pruinose; style 1 mm long; seeds 2-3, ellipsoid-oblong, 2-2.5(-3) mm long.
Holotype: Pakistan, Peshawar Dist.: Sherdara Tirah, 29. VII. 1967, fruiting, Naseeb Khan s.n. (KUH).
Distribution: Endemic.
Small shrub with branches and leaves like those in Berberis lyceum Royle, but shorter and smaller, infructescence very small, fascicled, 2-5-fruited with fruits only 3-5 mm long, subglobose with distinct style. Short crooked branches with congested internodes, smaller leaves, fascicled infructescence with smaller fruits easily distinguishes this species from the previous one and Berberis afghanica Schneid.
