Mahonia fortunei
| Mahonia fortunei | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Berberidaceae |
| Genus: | Mahonia |
| Species: | M. fortunei |
| Binomial name | |
| Mahonia fortunei (Lindl.) Fedde | |
Mahonia fortunei (syn. Berberis fortunei)[1] is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, the barberry family. It is native to China.[1][2] Common names include Chinese mahonia, Fortune's mahonia, and holly grape.[3]
Some authorities place the genus Mahonia in Berberis because there is no definite morphological distinction between the two genera. The subject awaits in-depth genetic analysis.[4]
Description
This is an evergreen shrub that usually grows up to 2 meters tall, but sometimes reaches 4 meters. It is upright, spreading, and somewhat rounded. It has a slow to moderate rate of growth and a moderate density. The leaves are odd-pinnately compound and alternately arranged.[5] They are dull to dark green on top and pale yellowish green on the undersides. The blades measure up to 28 centimeters long by 18 wide. The foliage is borne in bunches at the stem tips. The inflorescence is a raceme with 4 to 10 fascicles of yellow flowers.[2] The flowers have a sweet scent and are insect-pollinated.[5] The fruit is a rounded purple-blue berry about half a centimeter long.[2] The fruit is edible and acidic in flavor but it has numerous seeds. It can be eaten cooked or raw and contains a good amount of vitamin C.[5]
Chemistry
This and many other related species contain the alkaloid berberine,[6] a chemical being studied for its therapeutic potential.[7]
Cultivation
This species is widely cultivated in China and in other places, such as Indonesia, Japan, and United States.[2]
This species is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens. It has multicolored leaves and yellow flowers. The fruits attract birds. It does not tend to have pests, and it is heat-tolerant.[5]
It makes an adequate hedge and it can be confined to a container for use as a houseplant.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Berberis fortunei Lindl. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mahonia fortunei. Flora of China.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/maho_for.cfm Mahonia fortunei.] FloriData.
- ↑ "Berberis Linnaeus". Flora of North America.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Gilman, E. F. Mahonia fortunei. University of Florida Cooperative Extension, IFAS. Fact Sheet FPS-377. 1999.
- ↑ Mills, S. J. and K. Bone, contributors. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2005. pg. 257.
- ↑ Kulkarni, S. K. and A. Dhir. (2010). Berberine: a plant alkaloid with therapeutic potential for central nervous system disorders. Phytotherapy Research 24(3) 317-24.