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G.A. Cooper @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database |
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| R.A. Howard @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database |
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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Mahonia pumila is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. 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) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Berberis pumila
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked. We have seen no reports of edibility for this species, but it is certainly not poisonous. The fruit is likely to have an acid flavour and be suitable for making jams. jellies etc. The fruit is about 10mm 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 Antitumor Blood tonic Dysentery Tonic
A decoction of the roots is used as a blood tonic and as a treatment for coughs[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 yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots[155, 257]. It is green[168]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[168]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[168]. This species forms suckers freely and should make a good dense ground cover in a sunny position[11].
Special Uses
Ground cover
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, it thrives in any good well-drained garden soil[11], preferring one on the dryish side. Prefers a sunny position[11], but also succeeds in the light shade of trees[K]. This species is hardy to about -15°c if growing in a sheltered position[184]. Established plants sucker freely and form quite dense thickets[200]. 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 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
NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Oregon (southwest), California (north))
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
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| 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 japonica | | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 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 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 |
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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
(Greene.)Fedde.
Botanical References
11200270
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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