Reference see Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 17 Oct 2013 <http://www.tropicos.org/Image/100187927>, Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 13 Sep 2013 <http://www.tropicos.org/Image/49790>, Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 13 Sep 2013 <http://www.tropicos.org/Image/49792>

Source: MOBOT, Tropicos.org ^[1]

B. vulgaris is a spreading shrub, from four to six feet or more in height, with thorny branches, a light gray bark and a fine yellow wood.

The berries of B. vulgaris, which grow in loose bunches, are oblong and of a red color, have a grateful, sour, astringent taste, and contain malic and citric acids.

The bark of the root is grayish on the outside, yellow within, very bitter, and stains the saliva when chewed. Brandes found in 100 parts of the root 6.63 of bitter, yellow extractive (impure berberine), 1.55 of brown coloring matter, 0.35 of gum, 0.20 of starch, 0.10 of cerin, 0.07 of stearin, 0.03 of chlorophyll, 0.55 of a sub-resin, 55.40 of lignin, and 35.00 of water.

Source: United States Dispensatory (1918) ^[2]

Source: Elan M. Sudberg, Alkemist Laboratories ^[3]