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Mahonia haematocarpa - (Wooton.)Fedde.

Common Name Mexican Barberry, Red barberry
Family Berberidaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Slopes and flats in desert shrubland, desert grassland, and dry oak woodland; 900-2300 m; Arizona., California., Colorado., Nevada., New Mexico, Tex.; Mexico[266].
Range South-western N. America - Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Mexico.
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 haematocarpa Mexican Barberry, Red barberry


http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_dockens/
Mahonia haematocarpa Mexican Barberry, Red barberry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick_dockens/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Mahonia haematocarpa is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3.6 m (11ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in 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 haematocarpa.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[85, 257]. Juicy and acidic[3], it is used mainly for making jams and jellies in N. America[11, 183]. It makes an acceptable raw fruit and is especially nice when added to porridges or muesli[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[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  Ophthalmic  Tonic

Inner wood shavings can be soaked in water to make an eyewash[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]. Yellow according to another report[257]. A green dye is obtained from the leaves[168]. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[168].

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Unlike most members of this genus, this species requires a dry, perfectly drained position in full sun, a gritty slightly acid soil is best[11, 200]. It grows best on a sunny south facing wall in Britain[11, 182] and does well in a hot, dry position[184]. It requires a position sheltered from strong or cold winds[202]. Plants are only hardy in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c when fully dormant[1]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. The flowers are fragrant[245]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it does not fruit freely in Britain, the climate is too dull[11]. This species is very closely related to M. fremontii, being distinguished by the fruit which is blue-black in M. fremontii and red in M. haematocarpa[11, 67]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Resistant to honey fungus[88].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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

Red hollygrape, Holly barberry,

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Colorado (southeast), New Mexico (south), Texas, Arizona, California (southeast), Nevada (south)), Mexico (Sonora (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
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 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
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

(Wooton.)Fedde.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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