Practical
Plants

Mahonia repens

Creeping Oregon Grape

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[16][4]. An acid flavour but it is rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. Used for making jams. jellies etc. They can also be made into a refreshing lemonade-like beverage[4]. When sugar is added, the fruit juice is similar to grape juice[8]. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter[7].

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.

The root and root bark is alterative, anaphrodisiac, antiseptic, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[14][11]. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of coughs, fevers, psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints, kidney problems and impure blood conditions[14][11][13]. Externally, it is used as an antiseptic and healing wash or poultice on wounds and rheumatic joints[13]. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use[11]. A poultice of the fresh berries has been applied to boils[13]. 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
Alterative
Product or use
Anaphrodisiac
Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Salve
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][13]. 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]. Plants form suckers freely, making a good dense ground cover[1][7], though they can be slow to become established[6] and will need weeding for their first few years after planting out[K]. The sub-species M. repens rotundifolia has been especially recommended[6]. A useful plant for preventing soil erosion on slopes[2].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Oil

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Earth stabiliser

Environment

Range
Western N. America.
Habitat
Hills and slopes, often in partial shade[16], usually on dry slopes[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
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[15]. 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[15]. 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 garden soil[1], preferring one on the dryish side. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in the light shade of trees[K]. This species is hardy to about -15°c if growing in a sheltered position[5]. Established plants sucker freely and form quite dense thickets[7]. The flowers are scented[12]. Resistant to honey fungus[17].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

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