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Mahonia nevinii - (Gray.)Fedde.

Common Name Nevin's barberry
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sandy and gravelly places in sage bush scrub or chaparral[71, 184].
Range South-western N. America - S. California.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Mahonia nevinii Nevin


J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Mahonia nevinii Nevin
J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Mahonia nevinii is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2.4 m (7ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is 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 prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Berberis nevinii.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[3]. The red fruit has an acid lemony flavour with a firm but juicy texture, 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]. The fruit can be up to about 6mm in diameter[200], though on specimens we have seen fruiting in Britain the fruit is only 3mm in diameter[K].

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  Antitumor  Dysentery  Tonic

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

Unlike most members of the genus, this species requires a dry, perfectly drained position in full sun[184], a gritty slightly acid soil is best[200]. It does well in a hot, dry position[166]. Succeeds in a good garden soil[11]. It grows best by a sunny south-facing wall[182]. Plants are not fully hardy in all parts of Britain, they probably tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant[184], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. This species is closely allied to M. haematocarpa and M. fremontii[182]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus. Grows and flowers well at the University Botanical Gardens in Oxford[67]. A plant on a south-facing wall at Kew produced a good crop of fruit in 1999[K]. Plants are resistant to honey fungus[88].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (California (southwest))

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 pinnataCalifornia Barberry, Wavyleaf barberry, Island barberry, Creeping Holly GrapeShrub1.8 7-8 FLMHSNM322
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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Gray.)Fedde.

Botanical References

1171200

Links / References

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