This shrub is established by maya Paint effects, project involves using textures.
Script that I used for (UV) the leaves can be downloaded from this site: http://www.djx.com.au/blog/2012/07/28/djpfxuvs-for-maya-now-has-a-ui-and-does-grass
, there is also an explanation of how to use, quite simply is.
If you want to see the finished rendering and how to use it please look here: http://videohive.net/item/bush/3963031