Berberis nervosa is a beautiful evergreen shrub with short vertical stems that rarely exceed 2 ft height, but can grow up to 3 ft tall. Its compound leaves are reminiscent of holly, with 9-19 strongly toothed leaflets arranged fan-like and shiny. The flowers and fruit are edible but sour, and the fruit is an excellent safe and gentle laxative. Berberine, a bitter tonic found in the rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used to treat enteric infections like bacterial dysentery. Berberis nervosa is resistant to Puccinia graminis infection and is found in open or shaded woods and rocky areas from British Columbia to California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Its alterative and tonic root has been used to treat psoriasis, syphilis, impure blood conditions, arthritis, and red itchy eyes. It is able to grow under mature stands of Douglas-fir or Western Redcedar.