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Mahonia pinnata - (Lag.)Fedde.

Common Name California Barberry, Wavyleaf barberry, Island barberry, Creeping Holly Grape
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 7-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocky exposed places and woody slopes below 1200 metres[71].
Range South-western N. America - California, Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Mahonia pinnata California Barberry, Wavyleaf barberry, Island barberry, Creeping Holly Grape


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs
Mahonia pinnata California Barberry, Wavyleaf barberry, Island barberry, Creeping Holly Grape
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Stan_Shebs

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Early winter, Late spring, Late winter, Mid spring, Mid winter. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Mahonia pinnata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

M. aquifolium fascicularis. M. fascicularis. Berberis pinnata.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 105, 161]. An acid flavour but rather nice raw, especially when added to muesli or porridge[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial  Antirheumatic  Antitumor  Dysentery  Febrifuge  Laxative  Salve  Tonic


The bark is antirheumatic and febrifuge[257]. A decoction has been taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, ague, consumption and heartburn[257]. A decoction has been used as a wash for cuts and bruises[257]. The liquid obtained from chewing the roots has been used as a salve and to prevent swelling from wounds and abrasions[257]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[218] and is used as a bitter tonic[213]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[218]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[218]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[213].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A green dye is obtained from the roots[168]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[168]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[168].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing. An easily grown plant, it thrives in any good garden soil[11, 200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes windy positions[49]. Prefers a shady sheltered position[49]. This species is not fully hardy in the colder parts of Britain[3]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Closely allied to M. aquifolium[67]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus. Most plants grown in gardens under this name are in fact hybrids[182]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[88]. Special Features: North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[78]. 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 the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their next winter. Division of suckers in spring[78]. 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[11]. Leaf cuttings in the autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Blue barberry, Californian holly grape, Cluster hollygrape, Lena amarilla,

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Mahonia aquifoliumOregon Grape, Hollyleaved barberry, Oregon Holly Grape, Oregon HollyShrub2.0 4-8 FLMHFSNDM333
Mahonia bealeiBeale's barberry, Leatherleaf MahoniaShrub2.0 5-8 SLMHFSNM320
Mahonia confusa Shrub1.5 6-9  LMHFSM32 
Mahonia flavida Shrub2.0 7-10  LMHFSNM20 
Mahonia fortuneiFortune's MahoniaShrub2.0 7-9 SLMHFSNM32 
Mahonia fremontiiMahonia, Fremont's mahoniaShrub2.5 7-10 SLMHNDM322
Mahonia ganpinensis Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM12 
Mahonia gracilipes Shrub1.5 6-9  LMHFSM22 
Mahonia gracilisMexican BarberryShrub1.5 7-10  LMHNDM20 
Mahonia haematocarpaMexican Barberry, Red barberryShrub3.6 7-10  LMHNDM322
Mahonia japonica Shrub2.0 5-9  LMHFSNM32 
Mahonia lomariifoliaChinese hollygrapeShrub5.0 8-9 MLMHSNM320
Mahonia napaulensis Shrub2.5 5-9  LMHSNM321
Mahonia nervosaOregon Grape, Cascade barberryShrub0.6 5-9 SLMHFSNDM323
Mahonia neviniiNevin's barberryShrub2.4 7-10  LMHNDM322
Mahonia pumilaDwarf BarberryShrub0.3 6-9 SLMSNDM323
Mahonia repensCreeping Oregon Grape, Creeping barberry, Grape OregonShrub0.3 4-8 SLMHSNDM334
Mahonia swaseyiTexas Mahonia, Texas barberryShrub2.5 7-10  LMHNDM32 
Mahonia trifoliolataMexican Barberry, AlgeritaShrub2.0 6-9  LMHNDM324
Mahonia x media Shrub2.0 6-9  LMHFSNM320

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Lag.)Fedde.

Botanical References

1171200

Links / References

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