Practical
Plants

Mahonia haematocarpa

Mexican Barberry

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
3.6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[17][12]. Juicy and acidic[14], it is used mainly for making jams and jellies in N. America[2][5]. It makes an acceptable raw fruit and is especially nice when added to porridges or muesli[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K].

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.

Inner wood shavings can be soaked in water to make an eyewash[12]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[10] and is used as a bitter tonic[9]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[10]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[10]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[10]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[9].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

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

A green dye is obtained from the roots[3]. Yellow according to another report[12]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[3]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[3].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Mexico.
Habitat
Slopes and flats in desert shrubland, desert grassland, and dry oak woodland; 900-2300 m; Arizona., California., Colorado., Nevada., New Mexico, Tex.; Mexico[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
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 greenhouse[16]. 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 the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their next winter. Division of suckers in spring[16]. 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[2]. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Cultivation

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

Unlike most members of this genus, this species requires a dry, perfectly drained position in full sun, a gritty slightly acid soil is best[2][7]. It grows best on a sunny south facing wall in Britain[2][4] and does well in a hot, dry position[6]. It requires a position sheltered from strong or cold winds[8]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant[1]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The flowers are fragrant[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it does not fruit freely in Britain, the climate is too dull[2]. This species is very closely related to M. fremontii, being distinguished by the fruit which is blue-black in M. fremontii and red in M. haematocarpa[2][15]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Resistant to honey fungus[18].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  8. Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  10. 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

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  17. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩

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

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