Practical
Plants

Mahonia aquifolium

Oregon Grape

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Mahonia genus in the family Berberidaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Mahonia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw or cooked[11][21][23][27]. 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[19]. Flowers - raw. They can also be used to make a lemonade-like drink[8].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Oregon grape was often used by several native North American Indian tribes to treat loss of appetite and debility[18]. 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[18][19]. The root and root bark is alterative, blood tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, laxative and tonic[22][13][4][19]. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints and impure blood conditions[22][16]. Externally, it has been used as a gargle for sore throats and as a wash for blurry or bloodshot eyes[19]. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use[16]. The fruit is an excellent gentle and safe laxative[19]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[15] and is used as a bitter tonic[14]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[15]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[15]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[15]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[14].

Product or use
Alterative
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Blood tonic
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots[28][2][19]. It is green according to another report[5]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[5]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[5]. 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[10][12].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Hedge

Environment

Range
Western N. America. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Mixed coniferous woods to 2000 metres. It is found in woods and hedgerows in Britain[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[25]. 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[25]. 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[3]. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very easy plant to grow, thriving in any good garden soil[3][12] and tolerating dense shade under trees[1][20]. It grows well in heavy clay soils and also succeeds in dry soils if it is given a good mulch annually[10]. It dislikes exposure to strong winds[K]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[9]. Very tolerant of pruning, plants can be cut back into old wood if they grow too large and straggly[16]. Spring is the best time to do this[16]. Suckers are fairly freely produced, with established plants forming dense thickets[12]. Most plants grown under this name are casual hybrids with M. repens[24]. This species is easily confused with M. pinnata[24], with which it also hybridizes[12]. The flowers are delicately scented[17]. A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[7]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[26][12]. This plant is the state flower of Oregon[27].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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  5. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  7. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

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  8. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  10. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩1↩2

  11. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

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  12. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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  14. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2

  15. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  17. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  18. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  19. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  20. Knight. F. P. Plants for Shade. Royal Horticultural Society. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-900629-78-9

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  21. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

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  22. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  23. Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219060-5

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  24. Ahrendt. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 57 1961-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  25. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  26. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

  27. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩1↩2

  28. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

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