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Mahonia x media

Common name:		Family:	Berberidaceae
Author:	Brickell.	Botanical references:
Synonyms:
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	A hybrid species of garden origin, M. lomariifolia x M. japonica.
Habitat:	Not found in the wild.
Edibility Rating (1-5):	3	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	2

Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	media = intermediate;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Ranunculales. Barberry family

Physical Characteristics

An evergreen shrub growing to 2m by 3m . It is hardy to zone 6 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 2/5 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 moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade.

Cultivar 'Charity': Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade.
Cultivar 'Lionel Fortescue': Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge, Deep Shade.

Edible Uses

Fruit.

Fruit - raw or cooked. An acid flavour but the fruit is rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit ripens in early spring and good crops have often been seen on plants growing in sheltered positions[K]. The fruit is produced in large clusters and so is easy to harvest[K].

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Antibacterial; Antitumor; Tonic.

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].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil including heavy clays. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil. Survives under very heavy tree shade.
The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c[184], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Commonly grown as an ornamental plant, there are several named varieties[182]. This plant often produces a good crop of fruit in April and May. It seems that a sheltered position helps to ensure a good crop, as does growing more than one cultivar together and perhaps also one or both of the parents (M. bealei and M. japonica)[K]. The cultivars 'Charity' and 'Lionel Fortescue' have both been seen on a number of occasions with heavy crops[K].
The flowers are very sweetly scented[182].

Propagation

Seed - this is a hybrid species and seed will not come true, though some interesting plants might be produced. The seed is 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.
Stems will often root if they are stuck in the ground with most of their leaves removed[182].

Scent

Flowers: Fresh: The flowers are very sweetly scented.

Cultivars

'Winter Sun': The flowers are frost-resistant and are produced from autumn to early winter in horizontal rather than drooping racemes[200].
'Lionel Fortescue': Plants of this cultivar have been seen on several occasions bearing good crops of fruit in mid spring. When fertilized, these fruits have an acid but reasonable flavour[K]. The unfertilized fruit often has a distinct bitterness[K].
'Charity's Sister': Plants of this cultivar have been seen on several occasions bearing good crops of fruit in mid spring. When fertilized, these fruits have an acid but reasonable flavour[K]. The unfertilized fruit often has a distinct bitterness[K].
'Charity': Plants of this cultivar have been seen on several occasions bearing good crops of fruit in mid spring. When fertilized, these fruits have an acid but reasonable flavour[K]. The unfertilized fruit often has a distinct bitterness[K].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for the family Berberidaceae.

To be included in the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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