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Berberidaceae
Oregon Grape
Mahonia aquifolium
The pioneer spirit and resilience of the Pacific Northwest.
- Family
- Berberidaceae
- Genus
- Mahonia
- Native to
- western North America
- Bloom season
- Early Spring
- Type
- evergreen shrub
- Height
- 100–200 cm
- Sunlight
- part shade to full shade
- Soil
- well-drained, humus-rich
- Water
- low to medium
- Hardiness
- 5–9
- Lifespan
- perennial shrub; 20–30 years
Did you know
- It is the state flower of Oregon, adopted in 1899, despite being a shrub rather than a typical flower.
- The blue-purple berries are tart but edible and make excellent jelly, especially mixed with sweeter fruits.
- The inner bark and roots contain berberine, a bright yellow compound with antimicrobial properties.
- The holly-like leaves are evergreen and turn beautiful shades of bronze and red in winter.
- Lewis and Clark collected specimens during their expedition, introducing eastern botanists to this western native.
Color meanings
Yellow
resourcefulness and wild abundance