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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Mahonia swaseyi (Texas barberry)
Simpson, Benny

Mahonia swaseyi (Buckl. ex Young) Fedde

Texas barberry, Texas Oregon-grape

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Synonyms: Berberis swaseyi

USDA Symbol: MASW

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Shrub up to 3 or 4 feet tall. Leaves up to 3 inches long, with 2 to 4 pairs of leaflets and a terminal one on a central axis; leaflets firm textured, evergreen, margins with spiny teeth, veins prominent on the lower surface. Flowers yellow, about 3/8 inch wide, appearing from late February to early April. Fruit a red berry, edible.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit: white or red 9-16 mm
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: In TX, Edwards Plateau to Panhandle
Native Habitat: Open fields; wood borders; limestone ridges
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Rocky, calcareous soils.
Conditions Comments: Endemic to the Hill Country in many settings.Has many attrubutes of the more familiar Agarita (Mahonia trifoliata) with a larger longer leaf but similar look.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Fruit is eaten by birds and other wildlife.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Edible plants native to Austin, TX
August 05, 2009
Hello, I am a chef from Buenos Aires Argentina visiting Austin, Texas and would like to learn about native, edible plants in the region. Please let me know if there are any native, edible plants...
view the full question and answer

Shrub to hide chain link fence
August 12, 2008
Mr. Smarty Plants, Please recommend a tall, thick shrub to conceal the 6 foot chain link fence around the perimeter of our property. The fence is located down a hill from our home with western exposur...
view the full question and answer

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Hill Country Natives - Leander, TX

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1038 Collected 2011-06-11 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Mahonia swaseyi in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Mahonia swaseyi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mahonia swaseyi

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-21
Research By: EJF, DEW

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