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Mahonia repens
  • Creeping Oregon Grape

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

Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light 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 repens has 0 edible uses listed
Mahonia repens has 0 material uses listed
Mahonia repens has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][2]. 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[2]. When sugar is added, the fruit juice is similar to grape juice[3]. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter[4].

Fruit

Unknown use

Material uses

A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots[5][6]. It is green[7].

Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[7]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[7].

Plants form suckers freely, making a good dense ground cover[8][4], though they can be slow to become established[9] and will need weeding for their first few years after planting out[K]. The sub-species M. repens rotundifolia has been especially recommended[9]. A useful plant for preventing soil erosion on slopes[5].

Unknown part

Dye
Oil

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root and root bark is alterative, anaphrodisiac, antiseptic, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and tonic[10][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[10][11][6]. Externally, it is used as an antiseptic and healing wash or poultice on wounds and rheumatic joints[6]. 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[6].

Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[12] and is used as a bitter tonic[13]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[12]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[12]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[12]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[13].

Unknown part

Alterative
Anaphrodisiac
Antibacterial
Antiseptic
Antitumor
Cholagogue
Depurative
Diuretic
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Laxative
Salve
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[14]. 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[14]. 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[8].

Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

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



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it thrives in any good garden soil[8], 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[15]. Established plants sucker freely and form quite dense thickets[4]. The flowers are scented[16].

Resistant to honey fungus[17].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Mahonia repens. 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 repens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Mahonia repens
Genus
Mahonia
Family
Berberidaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4]
Medicinal uses
[10][11][6][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
[5][6][7][8][4][9]
Botanic
[8][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light 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
    Soil surface
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 2 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press ISBN 0-8623-0343-9 (1967-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press ISBN 63-7093 (1963-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Arnberger. L. P. Flowers of the Southwest Mountains. Southwestern Monuments Ass. (1968-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. ISBN 0-304-31089-1 (1989-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    15. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
    16. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    17. ? RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society (1987-00-00)


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Mahonia_repens&oldid=78549"
    Facts about "Mahonia repens"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBerberidaceae +
    Belongs to genusMahonia +
    Functions asGround cover + and Earth stabiliser +
    Has binomial nameMahonia repens +
    Has common nameCreeping Oregon Grape +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Oil +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAlterative +, Anaphrodisiac +, Antibacterial +, Antiseptic +, Antitumor +, Cholagogue +, Depurative +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Laxative +, Salve + and Tonic +
    Has search namemahonia repens + and creeping oregon grape +
    Has shade toleranceLight 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 repens +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    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 repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens +, Mahonia repens + and Mahonia repens +