Berberidaceae FAMILY

Mahonia haematocarpa

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine - this is most concentrated in the roots, stems and inner bark, and least concentrated in the fruits. In small quantities berberine has a range of effective medicinal applications but, in excess, can cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, and other ill-effects. The fruit of most, if not all, members of this genus are more or less edible and can be eaten in quantity since the levels of berberine in the fruit are very low.

Botanical Description

Mahonia haematocarpa is an evergreen shrub growing 100 - 400cm tall. The stems have elongate primary and short to somewhat elongate axillary shoots[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouth-western N. America - California to Colorado, south to New Mexico, Texas and Mexico (Sonora)

HabitatSlopes and flats in desert shrubland, desert grassland, and dry oak woodland; at elevations from 900 - 2,300 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].