berberis

[BARBERRY.] Botany: A genus of plants, the typical one of the order Berberidaceæ (Berberids). The sepals, petals, and stamina are each six in number, and the berry is 2-3 seeded. Berberis vulgar is is the common barberry. [BARBERRY.] It is the only species indigenous in Britain. B. aristata , ilicifolia , emarginata , and fascicular is are cultivated species more or le ornamental in their aspect. Of foreign species, an extract of the root, stem, and branches of the Indian or Ophthalmic Barberry, B. lycium of Royle, Λύκιον Ἰνδικόν ( Lukion Indicon ) of Dioscorides, is of use in ophthalmia. The fruits of B. asiatica are dried in the sun like raisins. [BARBERRY, BERBERRY.]