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{{taxobox
{{taxobox
|image = mahonia.jpg
|image = Mahonia fortunei.jpg
|image_caption = ''Mahonia fortunei''
|regnum = [[Plant]]ae
|regnum = [[Plant]]ae
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
Line 10: Line 9:
|species = '''''M. fortunei'''''
|species = '''''M. fortunei'''''
|binomial = ''Mahonia fortunei''
|binomial = ''Mahonia fortunei''
|binomial_authority = ([[Lindl.]]) [[Fedde]]
|}}
|}}
'''''Mahonia fortunei''''' ([[synonym (taxonomy)|syn.]] ''Berberis fortunei'')<ref name=grin>[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?6860 ''Berberis fortunei'' Lindl.] Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).</ref> is a species of flowering plant in the family [[Berberidaceae]], the barberry family. It is native to [[China]].<ref name=grin/><ref name=china>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200008394 ''Mahonia fortunei''.] Flora of China.</ref> Common names include '''Chinese mahonia''', '''Fortune's mahonia''', and '''holly grape'''.<ref name=flori>http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/maho_for.cfm ''Mahonia fortunei''.] FloriData.</ref>
'''''Mahonia fortunei''''' is a medium-size shrub in the [[Mahonia]] genus of the [[Berberidaceae]] family. It is a multi-stemmed upright shrub native to [[China]], [[East Asia]] and the [[Himalaya]] mountain region. It is commonly known as Chinese Mahonia.


''Mahonia'' is a genus of about 70 species closely related to the genus ''Berberis''. The genus ''Mahonia'' is controversial because some botanists believe its members should be included in the genus ''Berberis''. There is no definite morphological distinction between the two genera, and hence some botanists argue against the existence of a separate genus called ''Mahonia''; the subject awaits in-depth genetic analysis.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=103816 | title = Berberis Linnaeus | work = [[Flora of North America]] }}</ref>
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]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=103816 | title = ''Berberis'' Linnaeus | work = [[Flora of North America]] }}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
It is an [[evergreen]] shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet tall. It grows upright, round and spreads over an area of 3 to 5 feet across. The overall growth rate of this shrub is slow to moderate which gives rise to its moderate density. The leaf type is odd-pinnately compound and the leaves are alternate in arrangement.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/mahfora.pdf | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[University of Florida]] }}</ref> Leaves are pale yellowish green in color. The abaxially located leaves occasionally appear slightly glaucous.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/PDF/PDF19/Mahonia.pdf | title = Mahonia | work = [[Fl. China 19]] }}</ref> The blade of the evergreen leaves between is 4 to 8&nbsp;inches.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/mahfora.pdf | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[University of Florida]] }}</ref> The rachis of the leaflet is about 1–2&nbsp;mm in diameter. The internodes located between two nodes are estimated at 1.5–4&nbsp;cm in length. The foliage is borne in tufts at the top of the stems. It produces small yellow flowers in autumn, winter and spring. The flowers are inflorescence, 4–10 fascicled racemes.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/PDF/PDF19/Mahonia.pdf | title = Mahonia | work = [[Fl. China 19]] }}</ref> The shrub is hermaphroditic since the flowers consists of both male and female reproductive organs. It is an entomophilus plant because pollination occurs via insects. The flowers on this plant have a sweet pleasant scent. And the fruits on this shrub are blue-black fleshy berries that are small and round in shape. The berries have an acidic flavor to them, and are rich in vitamin C. The berries are edible but have too many seeds, making them difficult to eat. The fruit can be cooked or eaten raw. It does not lose its acidic flavor even after cooking.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/mahfora.pdf | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[University of Florida]] }}</ref>
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.<ref name=gilman>Gilman, E. F. [http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/mahfora.pdf ''Mahonia fortunei''.] University of Florida Cooperative Extension, IFAS. Fact Sheet FPS-377. 1999.</ref> 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 [[Fascicle (botany)|fascicles]] of yellow flowers.<ref name=china/> The flowers have a sweet scent and are insect-pollinated.<ref name=gilman/> The fruit is a rounded purple-blue berry about half a centimeter long.<ref name=china/> 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.<ref name=gilman/>


==Chemistry==
==Chemistry==
This and many other related species contain the [[alkaloid]] [[berberine]],<ref name=herbal>Mills, S. J. and K. Bone, contributors. ''The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety''. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2005. pg. 257.</ref> a chemical being studied for its therapeutic potential.<ref name=kulk>Kulkarni, S. K. and A. Dhir. (2010). [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.2968/abstract Berberine: a plant alkaloid with therapeutic potential for central nervous system disorders.] ''Phytotherapy Research'' 24(3) 317-24.</ref>

''Mahonia Fortunei'' is one of the sources of [[berberine]], a chemical being studied for its therapeutic potential.<ref>{{cite pmid | 8274213}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi =10.1002/ptr.2968| title = Berberine: a plant alkaloid with therapeutic potential for central nervous system disorder | work = [[Phytotherapy Research]] | pmid=19998323 | volume=24 | issue=3 | year=2010 | month=March | journal=Phytother Res | pages=317–24}}</ref>

==Uses==

This species is grown as a garden plant for many reasons. It is easy to grow in any kind of good garden soil. It is small in height, and does not spread invasively from its multi-stemmed center. They are grown as ornamentals for their evergreen foliage, yellow showy flowers, and small blue-black fleshy berries.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pfaf.org | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[Plant for a Future]] }}</ref>

==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
This species is widely cultivated in China and in other places, such as Indonesia, Japan, and United States.<ref name=china/>


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.<ref name=gilman/>
<!-- Commented out: [[File:East Asiamap.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Mahonia fortunei]] plant distribution ranges from East Asia to China]] -->
This species is widely cultivated in China and is also cultivated in Indonesia, Japan, and United States.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/PDF/PDF19/Mahonia.pdf | title = Mahonia | work = [[Fl. China 19]] }}</ref> The plant requires light, but is also able to grow in full shade or semi shade. It can grow in varieties of soil type including slightly alkaline, acidic, clay and sand. It can also grow in soil that is poor in nutrition. It is moderately tolerant to drought.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://hort.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/shrub_fact_sheets/mahfora.pdf | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[University of Florida]] }}</ref> It is easy to grow and also hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pfaf.org | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[Plant for a Future]] }}</ref>

==Propagation==


It makes an adequate [[hedge]] and it can be confined to a container for use as a houseplant.<ref name=flori/>
''Mahonia fortunei'' can be easily grown in new regions. It has compromising physical characteristics that allow it to propagate in new regions. To grow mahonia fortunei, the seed is sown right after it is ripe. The seed is green in color when ripe, and is usually stored in cold temperatures before it is sown in late winter or early spring. The seed sown right after it is harvested starts germinating in the spring. It takes about 3–6 months for the seed to germinate. The seedling once large enough is transferred to the greenhouse to protect it from the winter. It is planted outdoors after it is protected from the two consecutive winters. Spring is the favorable time to plant Mahonia fortunei. As the shrub continues to mature, every autumn the leaves are cut.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pfaf.org | title = Mahonia Fortunei | work = [[Plant for a Future]] }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Mahonia|fortunei]]
[[Category:Mahonia|fortunei]]
[[Category:Flora of China]]

Revision as of 07:00, 2 July 2013

Berberis fortunei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
Order:
Ranunculales
Family:
Berberidaceae
Genus:
Mahonia
Species:
M. fortunei
Binomial name
Mahonia fortunei

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. ^ a b Berberis fortunei Lindl. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).
  2. ^ a b c d Mahonia fortunei. Flora of China.
  3. ^ a b http://www.floridata.com/ref/m/maho_for.cfm Mahonia fortunei.] FloriData.
  4. ^ "Berberis Linnaeus". Flora of North America.
  5. ^ a b c d Gilman, E. F. Mahonia fortunei. University of Florida Cooperative Extension, IFAS. Fact Sheet FPS-377. 1999.
  6. ^ Mills, S. J. and K. Bone, contributors. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2005. pg. 257.
  7. ^ 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.
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