It is endemic to China, found in the provinces of Chongqing, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, and Zhejiang.

[4] Some authorities place the genus Mahonia in Berberis because there is no definite morphological distinction between the two genera.

It can be eaten cooked or raw and contains a good amount of vitamin C.[6] Berberis fortunei was initially scientifically described and named by John Lindley in 1846.

[1] This and many other related species contain the alkaloid berberine,[10] a chemical being studied for its therapeutic potential.

[11] This species is widely cultivated in China and in other places, such as Indonesia, Japan, and United States.