臺灣特有種，顧名思義是長在玉山以及鄰近中央山脈一帶的高山落葉灌木，葉腋具有明顯的1到3根銳刺用來抵禦動物過度啃食葉片，因此這類植物在中國有「三根針」的別名。倒卵形單葉互生或叢生，葉緣有鋸齒。春天開小黃花可引誘昆蟲來促進授粉，果實紅色，深受鳥兒喜愛有利播種，從開花到結果都富有生態意義。

Yushan Barberry is endemic to Taiwan. As the common name suggests, it is an alpine deciduous shrub growing in Yushan and the adjacent Central Mountain Range. Leaf axils have 1 to 3 sharp spines to resist excessive gnawing by animals, hence, this kind of plant has an alias "three needles" in China. Obovate single leaves are alternate or clustered with serrate margin. Small yellow flowers bloom in spring to attract insects to promote pollination. The red fruits are favorite to birds and hence beneficial for sowing. The entire life span of the plant, from flowering to fruiting is of ecological significance.

臺灣特有種，分佈臺灣中央山脈3000m以上山區。落葉灌木；小枝多且長，有3出銳刺。單葉互生或略呈叢生狀，倒卵形至倒卵舌形，厚膜質或紙質，邊緣有稀疏的銳鋸齒。圓錐花序；花單生，鮮黃色。花期在6月中旬至 7月中旬。果為漿果，3枚叢生於一處，呈球狀橢圓形，成熟時為紅色。種子4~5枚，表面光滑，呈黃色。果期10~11月。

An endemic species of Taiwan, distributed in the mountainous area above 3000 m in the Central Mountain range. A deciduous shrub; twigs many and long, with 3 sharp spines. Simple leaves alternate or slightly tufted, obovate to oblanceolate, thickly membranous or papery, with sparse sharp teeth on the margin. Panicles; flowers solitary, bright yellow. Flowering from mid-June to mid-July. The fruit is a berry, 3 in a cluster, spherical ellipsoid, mature red. Seeds 4 to 5, smooth and glossy, yellowish. Fruiting from October to November.

喜全日照冷涼氣候，耐寒、耐旱、耐風、耐貧瘠。以種子或扦插繁殖。

The plant grows well in full sun and cold climates; tolerant to cold, drought, wind and barren. Propagated by seeds or cuttings.

可作盆栽、綠籬。全株可入藥。果可誘鳥。

Suitable to be planted in pots or as hedge. The whole plant has medicinal use. The fruits can allure birds.