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Mahonia japonica

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • permanent shade
    Permanent shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Mahonia japonica has 0 edible uses listed
Mahonia japonica has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked. 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]. The ovoid fruit is about 9mm long[1], it ripens in spring and crops can be quite good if the plant is in a sheltered position[K]. The fruit is produced in large clusters and so is easy to harvest[K].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Mahonia japonica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaf is febrifuge and is used as a tonic in cases of cancer[2].

The seed is febrifuge and tonic[2]. The roots and stems are antirheumatic, antitussive, depurative, expectorant and febrifuge[3][2]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bone-breaking fevers, dizziness and tinnitus, backache, weak knees, dysentery and enteritis[3]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[4].

Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[2] and is used as a bitter tonic[4]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[2]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[2]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[2].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antirheumatic
Antitumor
Antitussive
Cancer
Depurative
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[5]. 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[5]. 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[6].

Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Mahonia japonica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil[6] including heavy clays. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil[1]. Survives under very heavy tree shade[7]. Succeeds in poor soils when the leaves will often become bright red, especially if the plant is in full sun.

The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -20°c[7], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if they have outgrown their welcome[8]. This species is closely related to M. bealei[6][1]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus.

The flowers have a delicious perfume[9]. The form 'Hiemalis' bears larger flower spikes which are almost as strongly scented as Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)[9].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Mahonia japonica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Mahonia japonica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Mahonia japonica
Genus
Mahonia
Family
Berberidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[2][3][4]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[6][1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
permanent shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x 3 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.7 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Mahonia_japonica&oldid=78542"
    Facts about "Mahonia japonica"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBerberidaceae +
    Belongs to genusMahonia +
    Has binomial nameMahonia japonica +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has mature width3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antirheumatic +, Antitumor +, Antitussive +, Cancer +, Depurative +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge + and Tonic +
    Has search namemahonia japonica +
    Has shade tolerancePermanent shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy +, Clay + and Heavy clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameMahonia japonica +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica +, Mahonia japonica + and Mahonia japonica +