Mahonia ganpinensis
| Mahonia ganpinensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mahonia ganpinensis
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[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 a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer.
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: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Thrives in any good garden soil]11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils.
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: Damp woodlands[3].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked.
Medicinal: Antiseptic, odontalgic, poultice[4].
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[5] and is used as a bitter tonic[6]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[5]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[5]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[5]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[6].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
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.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.