Mahonia aquifolium

Description:

Oregon grape, Oregon-grapeBerberidaceae (Barberry family)Native to southeast Alaska to Northern California, and eastern Alberta to southern ColoradoPhotographed in Washington County, OregonState flower of OregonFlowers www.flickr.com/photos/jim-sf/3382260432/in/photolist-efyd...Medicinally, some native Americans of the Plateau tribes used Oregon grape to treat indigestion or dyspepsia.The Oregon Encyclopedia mentions further usage by native Americans:"Native Americans used concoctions, decoctions, and infusions of Oregon grape plant parts to treat a wide variety of human aliments, including syphilis, arthritis, and itchy eyes. Some people noticed that consuming the fruit caused diarrhea, while others reported that the fruit was an excellent laxative. Native Americans used the yellow roots or bark to make a yellow dye to color baskets, wool, or porcupine quills; it is still used today as a natural dye for wool.Native people ate the sour fruits fresh in small quantities or dried them in the absence of other fruit; others made preserves or jelly."oregonencyclopedia.orgEtymologyThe generic name Mahonia is named after the American horticulturist Bernard McMahon (1775-1816).The Latin specific epithet aquifolium means "holly-leaved", referring to the spiny foliage.