Mahonia napaulensis
| Mahonia napaulensis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 8' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Blooms: | Early Spring-Mid Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mahonia napaulensis
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.
Cuttings of half ripe wood 15cm long, July in individual pots in a frame[1].
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 plant, it thrives in any good garden soil[2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position in a damp slightly acid to neutral humus rich soil[3]. Requires a position sheltered from cold or strong winds[4].
The plant is slightly tender in Britain[4] though it does well in Cornwall[5]. It under performs in areas where temperatures regularly fall below -10°c[3]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts[K].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
The flowers have a delicate sweet fragrance[6].
At least one named variety has been developed for its ornamental value. 'Maharajah' appears to be hardier than the type species[7].
Closely allied to M. acanthifolia[2] (which is quoted as a synonym of this species in some books). The differences stated between the two species do not hold true in the wild but in cultivation M. acanthifolia has leaflets with a dull surface, flowers in the autumn and is hardier than many of the spring flowering introductions of M. nepaulensis.
Resistant to honey fungus[8].
Range: E. Asia - Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.
Habitat: Dense wet oak and rhododendron forests to 2900 metres[9][10].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[11]. An acid flavour, but it is rather nice raw especially when added to muesli or porridge[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit can also be dried and used as raisins[12][9][13][14]. The ovoid fruit is about 12mm long[3].
Medicinal: The fruits are said to be diuretic and demulcent[15][11]. They are used in the treatment of dysentery[15].
A decoction of the bark is used as eye drops to treat inflammations of the eyes[11].
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[16] and is used as a bitter tonic[17]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[16]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[16]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[16]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[17].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the stem and leaves[18].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Also Known As: M. acanthifolia. G.Don. Berberis napalensis. Spreng.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 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.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thurston, Edgar. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. Cambridge University Press, 1930.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Polunin, Oleg and Adam Stainton. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press, 1984.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Manandhar, Narayan. Plants and People of Nepal. Timber Press, 2002.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Gupta, Basant. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press, 1945.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.