Berberis laurina is a spiny and woody, (semi-)evergreen shrub belonging to the barberries in the family Berberidaceae. It may grow to up to 2½ m high. The leaves are bluish green, and may turn yellow or red during autumn and winter. It has drooping racemes of light yellow flowers. The species is endemic to Uruguay, southern Brazil and Argentina (Misiones province). The local name in Uruguay is espina amarilla, while it is called espinho-de-judeu in Brasil.