Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium

Features

Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon grape or holly-leaved berberry, is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to western North America. It is an evergreen shrub growing 1 m to 3 m tall by 1.5 m wide.

Species	Scrubs (Nanofanerophytes)
Living space	Treeline
Size	1-2 m

Description

Pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, and dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries. In some areas, it is included in the list of invasive species outside its area, which successfully displaces native species. In gardens, it is planted in shady areas and along forest edges. Tolerates summer drought and poor soils. Strawberries attract birds, and after repeated frosts, they are also delicious for humans. Due to its evergreen leaves, it is an interesting species in florist arrangement. Yellow dye can be obtained from the bark and purple from strawberries. Some fruits are used in case of digestive problems.