Mahonia pinnata
| Mahonia pinnata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 6' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mahonia pinnata (common name: california barberry)
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 plant, it thrives in any good garden soil[2][3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes windy positions[4]. Prefers a shady sheltered position[4].
This species is not fully hardy in the colder parts of Britain[5]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Closely allied to M. aquifolium[6]. It hybridizes freely with other members of the genus.
Most plants grown in gardens under this name are in fact hybrids[7].
Plants are resistant to honey fungus[8].
Range: South-western N. America - California, Mexico.
Habitat: Rocky exposed places and woody slopes below 1200 metres[9].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[10][5][11][12]. An acid flavour but 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 is about 6mm in diameter[3].
Medicinal: The bark is antirheumatic and febrifuge[13]. A decoction has been taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism, ague, consumption and heartburn[13]. A decoction has been used as a wash for cuts and bruises[13]. The liquid obtained from chewing the roots has been used as a salve and to prevent swelling from wounds and abrasions[13].
Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[14] and is used as a bitter tonic[15]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[14]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[14]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[14]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[15].
Usage: A green dye is obtained from the roots[16].
Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[16].
A green dye is obtained from the leaves[16].
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. aquifolium fascicularis. M. fascicularis. Berberis pinnata.
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 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ Ahrendt, Leslie. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 1961.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ Munz, David. A California Flora. University of California Press, 1959.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.