Berberis fendleri
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Montane. Woodlands.  Summer.
Calico National Recreation Trail, June 16, 2004.

These slender bushes grow in scattered colonies or thickets, especially in the shade of Ponderosa Pines. Typically there are three or four woody stems with alternate clusters of leaves and pendulous sprays of bright yellow flowers emanating from leaf axils.  (See the flowers arched over at the 18 inch mark on the ruler.)

"Berberis" is, according to Weber, from "Berberys", the Arabic name for the fruit.  Augustus Fendler was a well known plant collector of the 19th century. (More biographical information.)

Click for Berberis fendleri in fall color.

Berberis fendleri
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Montane. Woodlands.  Summer.
Calico National Recreation Trail, June 16, 2004.

Berberis fendleri
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Montane. Woodlands.  Summer.
Calico National Recreation Trail, June 16, 2004.

Three-to-five parted spines grow quite stout at the bottom of the woody stems.