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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Mahonia japonica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 3 m (9ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from April to June. 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 and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked. An acid flavour, but 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 ovoid fruit is about 9mm long[200], it ripens in spring and crops can be quite good if the plant is in a sheltered position[K]. The fruit is produced in large clusters and so is easy to harvest[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 Antirheumatic Antitumor Antitussive Cancer Depurative Dysentery Expectorant
Febrifuge Tonic
The leaf is febrifuge and is used as a tonic in cases of cancer[218]. The seed is febrifuge and tonic[218]. The roots and stems are antirheumatic, antitussive, depurative, expectorant and febrifuge[147, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bone-breaking fevers, dizziness and tinnitus, backache, weak knees, dysentery and enteritis[147]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[213]. 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].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil[11] including heavy clays. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil[200]. Survives under very heavy tree shade[184]. Succeeds in poor soils when the leaves will often become bright red, especially if the plant is in full sun. The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -20°c[184], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if they have outgrown their welcome[182]. This species is closely related to M. bealei[11, 200]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus. The flowers have a delicious perfume[245]. The form 'Hiemalis' bears larger flower spikes which are almost as strongly scented as Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)[245].
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 cold frame[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 a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. 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
TEMPERATE ASIA: Taiwan
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 Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Mahonia aquifolium | Oregon Grape, Hollyleaved barberry, Oregon Holly Grape, Oregon Holly | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-8
| F | LMH | FSN | DM | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mahonia bealei | Beale's barberry, Leatherleaf Mahonia | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-8
| S | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Mahonia confusa | | Shrub | 1.5 |
6-9
| | LMH | FS | M | 3 | 2 | |
| Mahonia flavida | | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | FSN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Mahonia fortunei | Fortune's Mahonia | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-9
| S | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 2 | |
| Mahonia fremontii | Mahonia, Fremont's mahonia | Shrub | 2.5 |
7-10
| S | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Mahonia ganpinensis | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
| Mahonia gracilipes | | Shrub | 1.5 |
6-9
| | LMH | FS | M | 2 | 2 | |
| Mahonia gracilis | Mexican Barberry | Shrub | 1.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Mahonia haematocarpa | Mexican Barberry, Red barberry | Shrub | 3.6 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Mahonia lomariifolia | Chinese hollygrape | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Mahonia napaulensis | | Shrub | 2.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Mahonia nervosa | Oregon Grape, Cascade barberry | Shrub | 0.6 |
5-9
| S | LMH | FSN | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Mahonia nevinii | Nevin's barberry | Shrub | 2.4 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Mahonia pinnata | California Barberry, Wavyleaf barberry, Island barberry, Creeping Holly Grape | Shrub | 1.8 |
7-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Mahonia pumila | Dwarf Barberry | Shrub | 0.3 |
6-9
| S | LM | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Mahonia repens | Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping barberry, Grape Oregon | Shrub | 0.3 |
4-8
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Mahonia swaseyi | Texas Mahonia, Texas barberry | Shrub | 2.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | |
| Mahonia trifoliolata | Mexican Barberry, Algerita | Shrub | 2.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Mahonia x media | | Shrub | 2.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 2 | 0 |
|
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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