The leaves of Berberis ziyeensis are rhomboid and ovate, the apex is blunt, the base is short and stalked, the edge is whole, the surface is yellow green, the back is gray white, both sides are glabrous. The leaves of Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum are ovate, with sharp apex, blunt base, slightly rough hair on the top, dark green after drying, star hair on the bottom, gray white.
Berberis ziyeensis has 2-5 flowers which form a nearly clustered umbel. The perianth is yellow and the petals are oblong obovate. While Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum has 3-8 flowers in clusters, the color of the flowers is red, the bracts are linear, the calyx tube is cup-shaped, 4 petals are banded.
