Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping barberry, Grape Oregon

Mahonia repens

Physical Characteristics

Mahonia repens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 2 m (6ft 7in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Western N. America.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Edible Uses: Oil Fruit - raw or cooked[85, 183]. The berries are edible and make excellent jelly, syrup, or juice when sweetened. Their flavor is pleasantly tart, similar to currants or unsweetened blueberries. The fruits are too sour to eat in large quantities raw but have good nutritional value and were historically a valuable wild food [2-3]. 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]. Used for making jams. jellies etc. They can also be made into a refreshing lemonade-like beverage[183]. When sugar is added, the fruit juice is similar to grape juice[212]. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter[200]. Taste, Processing & Kitchen Notes: Fresh berries have a sharp, sour flavor due to natural malic and citric acids. Cooking softens the seeds and releases the deep purple-red pigment into the liquid, producing a rich juice similar to grape or black currant. When sweetened, it becomes refreshing and flavorful. To prepare, simmer the berries gently for 15–20 minutes, mash, and strain through muslin. The strained juice can be sweetened and reduced into syrup or combined with apple or crabapple juice for jelly. Dried berries become leathery and somewhat sweeter. Because of the high acidity, creeping barberry is ideal for preserves and beverages rather than fresh eating. Seasonality (Phenology): Creeping barberry flowers from April to July depending on elevation. Fruits ripen from mid-summer through early autumn (July–September) and may persist into early frost. Evergreen leaves provide color year-round, shifting from green to bronze as temperatures cool. Harvest & Processing Workflow: Harvest berries in mid- to late summer when blue-purple and easily detached. Gently strip clusters by hand or clip with scissors. Rinse to remove dust, mash, and simmer for juice extraction. Strain and sweeten for syrups or jellies. Berries can also be air-dried for teas or snacks. Traditional / Indigenous Use Summary: Tribes including the Kootenai, Salish, and Blackfoot used creeping barberry for food, dye, and medicine. The berries were dried, mashed, or cooked into sauces, while roots and stems yielded yellow dye and medicinal teas for stomach ailments. It also featured in traditional beverages mixed with chokecherries or serviceberries.

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Anaphrodisiac Antibacterial Antiseptic Antitumor Cholagogue Depurative Diuretic Dysentery Expectorant Febrifuge Laxative Salve Tonic The root and root bark is alterative, anaphrodisiac, antiseptic, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative and tonic. It improves the digestion and absorption and is taken internally in the treatment of coughs, fevers, psoriasis, syphilis, haemorrhages, stomach complaints, kidney problems and impure blood conditions. Externally, it is used as an antiseptic and healing wash or poultice on wounds and rheumatic joints. The roots are harvested in late autumn or early spring and dried for later use. A poultice of the fresh berries has been applied to boils. Berberine, universally present in rhizomes of Mahonia species, has marked antibacterial effects and is used as a bitter tonic. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it is used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery. It should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine. Berberine has also shown antitumour activity. The root and root bark are best harvested in the autumn.

Known Hazards

The berries are safe to eat in moderation. Roots, bark, and stems contain berberine, which should not be ingested except in regulated herbal preparations. Overconsumption of berries may cause mild stomach upset due to acidity.