Berberis fremontii is an erect evergreen shrub growing up to 4.5 meters tall.

The abundant inflorescences each bear 8 to 12 bright yellow flowers, blooming in the spring.

The fruit is a berry up to 1.5 centimeters wide, ranging in color from yellowish to purple to nearly black.

[4] Berberis fremontii is native to mountainous regions of the US states of Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

[4] The Zuni people use the crushed berries as a purple coloring for the skin and for objects employed in ceremonies.