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Makin, Julie
Mahonia aquifolium
Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.
Holly-leaved Barberry, Holly-leaf Oregon-grape
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Synonym(s): Berberis aquifolium, Berberis aquifolium var. aquifolium, Berberis piperiana, Mahonia piperiana, Odostemon aquifolium
USDA Symbol: MAAQ2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Holly-leaf Oregon-grape is a 3-6 ft., or taller, 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. Outside of this species' native range, it is widely used as an ornamental, but often escapes from cultivation and has become invasive in some areas.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green.
Fruit: Blue.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: CA , ID , MT , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: B.C. to ID & n.w. MT, s. to n. CA
Native Habitat: Deep, conifer forests; open, rocky woods
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: High
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 BeesThis 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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National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | UPL | UPL | UPL | UPL | UPL | UPL | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Mahonia aquifolium in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Mahonia aquifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mahonia aquifolium
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-04-19Research By: TWC Staff