FORM Several herbaceous species in addition to the Barberry shrubs.

Genera   10      

Species 600 in our area 7 (Gray);  7 (B&B)⁴³

Distribution  Northern Hemisphere

Flowers Perfect, solitary or in inflorescences

#Parts   4 to many sepals, 6-8 petals with stamens opposite the petals.    Stamens attached to the petals, spring free when an insect lands dusting it with pollen.  

Symmetry regular

Leaves Alternate, simple or compound without stipules.

May-apple and Blue Cohosh groups lumped based on technical grounds