Mahonia trifoliolata
| Mahonia trifoliolata | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Spring-Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Mahonia trifoliolata (common name: mexican 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: Unlike most members of the genus, this species requires a dry, perfectly drained position in full sun, a gritty slightly acid soil is best[3]. It does well in a hot, dry position[4]. Succeeds in a good garden soil[2].
The form in general cultivation in Britain (M. trifoliolata glauca. I.M.Johnst.) comes from the southern part of its range[5], it is only hardy on a sunny wall in this country or as a free-standing shrub in the very mildest areas[6][2]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
A good bee plant[7].
Resistant to honey fungus[8].
Range: South-western N. America - Texas, Arizona, Mexico.
Habitat: Dry calcareous soils[5]. Slopes and flats in grassland, shrubland, and sometimes open woodland at elevations of 0 - 2000 metres[9].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[10][6][11]. An acid flavour but nice, especially when added to porridges or muesli[K]. A subtle tart flavour, it is pleasant to eat raw[12]. Unfortunately there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. The fruit is also used to make preserves[7][12].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[7].
Medicinal: Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[13] and is used as a bitter tonic[14][15]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[13]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[13]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[13]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[15].
Usage: A yellow dye is obtained from the inner bark of the stem and roots[16][17][7][14]. It is green according to another report[18].
An ink is made from the wood[16][17].
Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes are obtained from the fruit[18].
A green dye is obtained from the leaves[18].
Makes a good hedge[7].
The wood is a source of tannin[16].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Berberis ilicifolia. B. roemeriana. B. trifoliata. B. trifoliolata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 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.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ahrendt, Leslie. Berberis and Mahonia. Journal of the Linnean Society, 1961.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Vines, Robert. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press, 1987.
- ↑ RHS. The Garden Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society, 1987.
- ↑ Flora of North America.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Pesman, M. Meet Flora Mexicana. Dale S King, 1962.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.