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Berberis aetnensis Presl.

Modern name

Berberis aetnensis C.Presl

A deciduous, dwarf, stunted bush about 2 ft high, with crooked branches. Leaves small, 14 to 34 in. long, obovate, sometimes bristle-toothed, sometimes entire; spines three-parted, sometimes over 1 in. long. Flowers yellow, in short racemes 34 to 114 in. long, carrying six to fifteen flowers. Fruit red.

Native of Sicily and Calabria, a scrubby bush inhabiting the mountains. It flowers in May and June, and is very pretty with its numerous closely set racemes. Suitable for the rock garden.



From the Supplement (Vol. V)

The berries in this species are dark red, and may become almost black when fully ripe.

Genus

Berberis

Other species in the genus