Mahonia gracilipes
| Mahonia gracilipes | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mahonia gracilipes
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: 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[3].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if they have outgrown their welcome[4].
Plants produce suckers and form gradually spreading clumps[3].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
Range: E. Asia - Western China western Sichuan province.
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked. We have no specific information on the fruit of this species, but all members of the genus have more or less edible fruit.
Medicinal: 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.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 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.