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Mahonia x media - Brickell.

Common Name
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not found in the wild.
Range A hybrid species of garden origin, M. lomariifolia x M. japonica.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Mahonia x media


(c) Milan Havlis http://www.havlis.cz
Mahonia x media

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Mahonia x media 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 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from July to August. 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 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 the fruit 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 ripens in early spring and good crops have often been seen on plants growing in sheltered positions[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  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

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil including heavy clays. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil. Survives under very heavy tree shade. The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -15°c[184], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Commonly grown as an ornamental plant, there are several named varieties[182]. This plant often produces a good crop of fruit in April and May. It seems that a sheltered position helps to ensure a good crop, as does growing more than one cultivar together and perhaps also one or both of the parents (M. bealei and M. japonica)[K]. The cultivars 'Charity' and 'Lionel Fortescue' have both been seen on a number of occasions with heavy crops[K]. The flowers are very sweetly scented[182].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - this is a hybrid species and seed will not come true, though some interesting plants might be produced. The seed is 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. Stems will often root if they are stuck in the ground with most of their leaves removed[182].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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 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

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

Brickell.

Botanical References

Links / References

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Readers comment

Pamela   Wed Jun 11 2008

Have a large Mahonia Charity growing in the garden always crops heavily can we eat these berries as well as leaving the birds some?

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Subject : Mahonia x media  
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