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Mahonia aquifolium (Hollyleaved barberry)
Makin, Julie

Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.

Hollyleaved barberry, Oregon-grape, Holly-leaf Oregon-grape

Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)

Synonyms: Berberis aquifolium

USDA Symbol: maaq2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Holly-leaf Oregon-grape is a 3-6 ft., mound-shaped, broadleaf evergreen shrub with pinnately compound, glossy, leathery leaves. The 5-9 dark-green leaflets are armed with spiny teeth and turn reddish in fall. Terminal clusters of bright-yellow, bell-shaped flowers are followed by clusters of tiny blue, grape-like fruits. The bronzy copper color or the new growth in spring is an added bonus.

This stout shrub is the state flower of Oregon. The berries of this and other Oregon-grape species are eaten by wildlife and make good jelly. Native Americans made a yellow dye from the bark and wood of this shrubby species. Several are used as ornamental garden plants; in the nursery trade some of them are known by the common name Mahonia.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Blue
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CA , DC , ID , KY , MI , MT , NJ , NY , OH , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: B.C. to ID & n.w. MT, s. to n. CA
Native Habitat: Deep, conifer forests; open, rocky woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, acid loams.
Conditions Comments: Protect this plant from drying winter winds. Leaf scorch can be severe. Barberry aphids, scale and whiteflies can be a problem.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Widely used as an ornamental and has been reported as an escape from cultivation across the continent.
Use Wildlife: Berries are relished by a variety of wildlife.
Use Medicinal: Medicinally, various root preparations of Berberis aquifolium were used by Native Americans for stomach trouble, hemorrhages, and tuberculosis; as a panacea, a tonic, a gargle, and an eye wash; and to purify blood. Leaves and roots were used in steam baths to treat yellow fever; karok was used as a poison; and the tips of stems were used to treat stomach aches (D. E. Moermann 1986).
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Can be grown from seed. Cuttings should be taken in November or after some exposure to cold. Treat with hormone. Simple division of the parent is effective if only a few plants are needed.
Seed Collection: Ripe fruits may be pick by hand, using heavy gloves, or flailed onto cloth beneath the bushes. Seeds can be removed through maceration and flotation. Seeds should not be allowed to dry out after collection.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

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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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-04-12
Research By: TWC Staff

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