Practical
Plants

Mahonia pumila

Dwarf Barberry

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Mahonia
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
0.3 m
Spread
2 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. We have seen no reports of edibility for this species, but it is certainly not poisonous. The fruit is likely to have an acid flavour and be suitable for making jams. jellies etc. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter[5].

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.

A decoction of the roots is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs[8]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[7] and is used as a bitter tonic[6]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[7]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[7]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[7]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[6].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Blood tonic
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[2][8]. It is green[3]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[3]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[3]. This species forms suckers freely and should make a good dense ground cover in a sunny position[1].

Product or use
Dye

Ecology and functions

Ground cover

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California and southern Oregon.
Habitat
Mountains[1]. Open woods and rocky areas at elevations of 300 - 1200 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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[10]. 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[10]. 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[1]. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Cultivation

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

An easily grown plant, it thrives in any good well-drained garden soil[1], preferring one on the dryish side. Prefers a sunny position[1], but also succeeds in the light shade of trees[K]. This species is hardy to about -15°c if growing in a sheltered position[4]. Established plants sucker freely and form quite dense thickets[5]. Resistant to honey fungus[11].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  2. Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. 1968-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. 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

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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