Mahonia confusa
| Mahonia confusa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Fall-Early Winter |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mahonia confusa
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[1]. 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[1]. 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[2].
Leaf cuttings in the autumn.
Cultivation: An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil[2] including heavy clays. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil[3].
Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c[4]. Only introduced to Britain in 1980, the plant is growing so well here that within six years it was being distributed commercially from home-produced seedlings[2]. 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[5].
Closely related to M. fortunei[2]. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
The flowers are very sweetly scented[6].
Range: E. Asia - Western China in Guizhou, Hubei and Sichuan provinces.
Habitat: Wet shady ravines and woods[4].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. An acid but nice flavour and fairly juicy, it makes a pleasant nibble and is nice in other dishes, 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 to mid spring, a time when little other fresh fruit is available in the garden[K].
Medicinal: The leaf is used in the treatment of cancer[7].
A decoction of the root is febrifuge and odontalgic[7].
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[7] and is used as a bitter tonic[8]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[7]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[7]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[7]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[8].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Spring-Early Summer
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.