Mahonia japonica

Physical Characteristics

Mahonia japonica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft) by 3 m (9ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Taiwan.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked. An acid flavour, but it is rather nice raw especially when added to muesli or porridge[K]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[K]. The ovoid fruit is about 9mm long[200], it ripens in spring and crops can be quite good if the plant is in a sheltered position[K]. The fruit is produced in large clusters and so is easy to harvest[K].

Medicinal Uses

Antibacterial Antirheumatic Antitumor Antitussive Cancer Depurative Dysentery Expectorant Febrifuge Tonic The leaf is febrifuge and is used as a tonic in cases of cancer[218]. The seed is febrifuge and tonic[218]. The roots and stems are antirheumatic, antitussive, depurative, expectorant and febrifuge[147, 218]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bone-breaking fevers, dizziness and tinnitus, backache, weak knees, dysentery and enteritis[147]. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn[213]. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects[218] and is used as a bitter tonic[213]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[218]. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[218]. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[218].

Known Hazards

None known