Shrub 2-3 m tall, deciduous, glabrous; stems dark-red to pale-brownish, subterete, verruculose or not; internodes 2-4 cm long; spines often absent, 1 (-3)-fid, 5-10(-15) mm long. Leaves usually 3-6 cm long, 1-2(-4) cm broad, oblong-obovate, green, margin 10-30 spinose-serrulate; apex obtuse or rounded; petiole 5-15(-18) mm long. Racemes (3-)4-10 cm long, 15-25-flowered, including peduncle 10-15 mm long. Flowers 7-9 mm across; pedicles (6-) 10-15 (-20) mm long; bracts 1-1.5 mm long. Inner sepals 5-6 mm long, c. 4 mm broad. Petals 4-4.5 mm long, c. 3 mm broad, actutely emarginate. Ovary oblong, 1-2-ovuled. Berries oblong-ovoid, rarely obovoid, 8-10 mm long, 4-5 mm broad, red, estylose. epruinose; seeds 1-2, c. 6 mm long, 2.5 mm broad, black.
Fl. Per. April June.
Type: Described from N.W. Himalaya or Kashmir.
Distribution: Pakistan, N. W. Himalaya and Kashmir.
This differs from Berberis petiolaris Wall. ex G. Don, primarily by the estylose berries and thinner leaves. A plant of moist shady places.
