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Mahonia aquifolium
| Mahonia aquifolium: Fruit
Photo by Derrick Ditchburn. |
|
| Mahonia aquifolium: Flower
Photo by Derrick Ditchburn. |
|
| Common name: |
Oregon Grape |
Family: |
Berberidaceae |
| Author: |
(Pursh.)Nutt. |
Botanical references: |
11, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Berberis aquifolium (Pursh.) |
| Known Hazards: |
None known |
| Range: |
Western N. America. Naturalized in Britain. |
| Habitat: |
Mixed coniferous woods to 2000 metres. It is found in woods and hedgerows in Britain[17]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
4 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Berberis amplectens[B,P]
Berberis aquifolium var. dictyota[B,P]
Berberis aquifolium var. repens[B,P]
Berberis californica[B]
Berberis dictyota[B,P]
Berberis piperiana[B,P]
Berberis pumila[B,P]
Berberis repens[B,G,P]
Berberis sonnei[B,FWSSYM,G,P]
M. amplectens[B,P]
M. aquifolia[E,HPIC,H,Smap,Sn6,Sngs]
M. californica[B]
M. dictyota[B,CPHOTO,CAL,CAL,P]
M. piperiana[B,P]
M. pumila[B,P]
M. repens[B,CPHOTO,FWS,FWS,CAL,CAL,E,G,HORTIPLEX,Smap,Smo,Swal,P]
M. repens var. rotundifolia[G]
M. sonnei[B,G,P]
Odostemon aquifolium[B,P]
Odostemon dictyota[B,P]
Odostemon pumilus[B,P]
Odostemon repens[B,P]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Agrecillo [E], Berberi [E], Creeping Oregon-grape [B], Epine Vinette [E], Holly-Leaved Barberry [E], Holly-leaf Oregon-grape [B], Holly-leaved Barberry [H], Hollyleaved Barberry [P], Jepson's Oregon-grape [B], Mahonia [E], Mahonie [D], Mountain Grape [H,E], Oregon Grape [H,E,S], Oregon Grape Root [H], Oregon Grape, Creeping [S], Oregon-grape [L,FEIS], Oregongrape [E,P], Rocky Mountain Oregon Grape [S], Shining Netvein Barberry [P], Tall Oregon-grape [DEN1], Yerba De Sangre [S], Yerba De Sangre, Creeping Oregon Grape [S], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
aquifolium = holly like
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Ranunculales. Barberry family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
France
Germany Italy Netherlands Spain Us
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Physical Characteristics
An evergreen shrub growing to 2m by 1.5m . It is hardy to zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to May, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
The plant is self-fertile.
We rate it 4/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires dry or moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade, Ground Cover.Edible Uses
Drink
Flowers Fruit.
Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 5, 95]. The fruit is almost as large as a
blackcurrant and is produced in large bunches so it is easy to harvest[K]. It
has an acid flavour, but it is rather nice raw and is especially good when
added to a porridge or muesli[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little
flesh and a lot of seeds, though some plants have larger and juicier
fruits[K]. The cooked fruit tastes somewhat like blackcurrants[K]. The fruit
can also be dried and stored for later use[257].
Flowers - raw. They can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink[183].
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Alterative
Antibacterial Antitumor Blood tonic Cholagogue Diuretic Laxative Ophthalmic Tonic.
Oregon grape was often used by several native North American Indian
tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility[254]. Its current herbal use is
mainly in the treatment of gastritis and general digestive weakness, to
stimulate the kidney and gallbladder function and to reduce catarrhal
problems[254, 257].
The root and root bark is alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic,
laxative and tonic[4, 21, 165, 257]. It improves the digestion and absorption
and is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis,
haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions[4, 238].
Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for
blurry or bloodshot eyes[257]. The roots are harvested in late autumn or
early spring and dried for later use[238].
The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative[257].
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked
antibacterial effects[218] and is used as a bitter tonic[213]. Since it is
not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of
various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[218]. It should
not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the
effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour
activity[218].
The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[213]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
Dye
Ground cover Hedge.
A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots[99,
101, 257]. It is green according to another report[168].
Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the
fruit[168].
A green dye is obtained from the leaves[168].
This species can be grown as a low hedge and does not need trimming. Because
of its suckering habit, it also makes a good dense ground cover plant though
it can be slow to become established[197, 200].
Cultivation details
A very easy plant to grow, thriving in any good garden soil[11, 200]
and tolerating dense shade under trees[1, 28]. It grows well in heavy clay
soils and also succeeds in dry soils if it is given a good mulch
annually[197]. It dislikes exposure to strong winds[K].
Plants are hardy to about -20° c[184].
Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut back into old wood if they grow
too large and straggly[238]. Spring is the best time to do this[238].
Suckers are fairly freely produced, with established plants forming dense
thickets[200].
Most plants grown under this name are casual hybrids with M. repens[67].
This species is easily confused with M. pinnata[67], with which it also
hybridizes[200].
The flowers are delicately scented[245]. A number of named forms have been
developed for their ornamental value[182].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200].
This plant is the state flower of Oregon[95].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[78]. It usually
germinates in the spring[K]. 'Green' seed (harvested when the embryo has
fully developed but before the seed case has dried) should be sown as soon as
it is harvested and germinates within 6 weeks[K]. Stored seed should be sown
as soon as possible in late winter or spring. 3 weeks cold stratification
will improve its germination, which should take place in 3 - 6 months at
10°
c. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow
them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in
late spring or early summer.
Division of suckers in spring[78]. Whilst they can be placed direct into
their permanent positions, better results are achieved if they are potted up
and placed in a frame until established[11].
Leaf cuttings in the autumn.
Scent
-
Flowers: Fresh
- The flowers are delicately scented[245].
Cultivars
- 'Apollo'
- A low growing form, rarely more than 60cm tall[200]. It flowers very heavily in the spring and looks particularly attractive at this time. It spreads well and makes a good ground cover[K].
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
PFAF Web Pages
This plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [L] Scientific and Common Names (some photos)
from Lepidoptera and some other life forms
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
- [DEN] Data _ Photos
(Good Identification info) from the Virginia Tech's Dendrology Deptarments' Tree Fact Sheets.
References for Berberis aquifolium (a possible synonym).
References for Mahonia aquifolia (a possible synonym).
References for Mahonia dictyota (a possible synonym).
References for Mahonia repens (a possible synonym).
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [S] Illustration
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [S] Image
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [S] SW USA Dist. Maps
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [S] Image
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A& M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
- [FEIS] Data
(Uses, Ecology, Fire Effects) from the USDA Forestry Service Fire Effects Information System.
References for mahonia aquifolia (a possible synonym).
References for the family Berberidaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[5] Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974 ISBN 0-00-219060-5
Edible wild plants found in Britain. Fairly comprehensive, very few pictures and rather optimistic on the desirability of some of the plants.
[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[28] Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980 ISBN 0-900629-78-9
A small but informative booklet listing plants that can be grown in shady positions with a few cultivation details.
[67] Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961
Not for the casual reader, it lists all the known species in these two genera together with botanic descriptions and other relevant details for the botanist.
[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[88] RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987
Snippets of information from the magazine of the RHS. In particular, there are articles on plants that are resistant to honey fungus, oriental vegetables, Cimicifuga spp, Passiflora species and Cucurbits.
[95] Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976 ISBN 0-486-23310-3
Useful wild plants of America. A pocket guide.
[99] Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7
Excellent and readable guide.
[101] Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978
A very readable guide to some wild foods of Canada.
[165] Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
An excellent small herbal.
[168] Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
A very good and readable book on dyeing.
[182] Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[184] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.
[197] Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989 ISBN 0-304-31089-1
A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[213] Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
A nice book to read though it is difficult to look up individual plants since the book is divided into separate sections dealing with the different medicinal uses plus a section on edible plants. Common names are used instead of botanical.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
[257] Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.
Readers Comments
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