Plants Pacific Northwest

Oregon Grape

Note: These plants can be dangerous if improperly used. The author, and/or ernestartist.org assume no liability for experimentation of use.

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Berberis Aquifolia, Mahonia Nervosa

These shrubs have evergreen, Holly-like leaves with yellow flowers with terminal clusters that yield blue berries. It grows as a woody shrub, two to ten feet in height, and grows on hillsides and open woodlands (Oregon, Washington, British Columbia).

The berries may be eaten raw, or cooked into a most excellent jam. The berries are tart and ever-greeny-earthy tasting when ripe. Cooking the berries and sweetening, takes this tartness away. I find the berries to be quite enjoyable (after getting used to the taste) and am constantly searching berry bushes for treats (late July to Early August). Also, eaten raw, mixed with other, sweeter berries (such as Salal, or Huckleberry), is even more enjoyable. I've been told that Oregon grape makes great Wine.

The bark has been used in the past by West Coast Natives for yellow dye (alkaloid berberine) sometimes used for medicinal treatment of gallbladder, liver, and eye problems. (Antidote for Shellfish poisoning????) High in vitamin C... Berberine has antimicrobial qualities... fights infection topically and internally. Berberine also stimulates bile production for digestive disorders.

Note: the fragrant, bright yellow flowers and buds are quite edible. The boiled roots make a bitter tonic and appetite stimulant.

"American barberry has been condemned by the Government in the Wheat growing States because of the destructive wheat-rust fungus (Plants of Yellowstone National Park by W.B. McDougall and Herma A. Baggley - published in 1936 by US Government printing office, Washington."