fauntleroy tree walk
Oregon grape
lushootseed name:
latin name:
mahonia nervosa
family
berberis
Habitat
Oregon grape generally grows west of the Cascade Crest from British Columbia down to central California and in the panhandle of Idaho. This plant enjoys living in moist soils at mid elevations in the sun or in the shade of the tall Douglas fir canopy.
Identification
growth habit
Forms dense clumps as a low-growing shrub from ankle to knee height.
leaves
Waxy, deep green and lance-shaped leaves with sharp teeth along the margins. There are 9-19 leaves per stem. Leaves are arranged in an opposite pattern along the stem.
flower
Beautifully yellow with an inner, cupped hood of petals and an outer set of 6 separate petals
bark
Spindly and twisting brown bark often covered in mosses. This plant grows from rhizome roots so you tend to see it trailing along the ground and curving up in a C shape. Although not recommended as to preserve the health of this native species, if you were to peel back the bark, you would release the brilliant golden color of the inner root.
fruits
Small dusty blue to purple berries resembling grapes, hence its name.
Look-a-likes
this species can sometimes be confused with the invasive English holly also found here in the park. Although they both contain dark green, waxy leaves, the leaves of English holly are arranged in an alternating pattern along the stem rather than opposite. The berries of English holly are vibrant red, while the berries of Oregon grape are blue to purple.
Ecology
The bright yellow and fragrant flowers are a great way to attract pollinators like hummingbirds that help the plant to reproduce. Not only does this plant spread by seed dispersal, it can actually spread through its below ground roots.
Berries ripen july-september and are ready to be eaten by birds such as robins and sparrows and small mammals like foxes and raccoons. When animals eat berries, they typically help spread the seeds as they pass them later in their waste. Because this spiked plant stays green year-round, animals can also use it as a protective shelter.
Ethnobotany
Oregon grape is great for the immune system and has antimicrobial properties. Due to the bitterness of these berries, this plant has been used to trigger the taste buds and stimulate digestion. Berries have been used to make a blue dye and yellow roots to make yellow dye.
The Oregon grape is in the Berberis family, as it contains the component berberine, which has been known to stabilize blood sugar. Please refrain from eating this berry, as it can cause stomach upset, jaundice, and potentially be fatal to humans. We also want to save these fruits for the animals that rely on this food source.