From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium, Berberidaceae) is an evergreen shrub related to the barberry. In fact, many authors submerge Mahonia in the barberry genus, Berberis. The plant is in no way related to grapes, but gets the name from the purple clusters of berries. It is sometimes called tall oregon grape to distinguish it from creeping oregon grape (Mahonia repens) and "cascade" or dwarf oregon grape (M. nervosa). The name is occasionally hyphenated as oregon-grape.
Oregon grape is used as an ornamental shrub similarly to barberry, and can be used to form a loose hedge or shrub border. The flowers are an attractive yellow.
The plant is used medicinally by herbalists. The fruits are sometimes used locally mixed with salal to make jelly.
It is the state flower of Oregon.
Oregon grape is a native plant on the North American west coast from British Columbia to northern California.
Oregon grape foliage
