Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Mahonia nervosa
Mahonia nervosa (Pursh) Nutt.
Cascade Barberry, Cascade Oregon-grape, Dwarf Oregon-grape
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family)
Synonym(s): Berberis nervosa, Berberis nervosa var. mendocinensis, Mahonia nervosa var. mendocinensis, Odostemon nervosus
USDA Symbol: MANE2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A 1-2+ ft. shrub with unbranched stems from long rootstocks. Pinnate leaves occur in terminal tufts and are glossy green with spiny teeth. Drooping racemes of yellow flowers are followed by blue berries with a grayish bloom.
This shrub used to be placed in the genus Berberis.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Dark Green.
Fruit: Blue, 8-11 mm.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: CA , ID , OR , WACanada: BC
Native Distribution: N. & c. CA Coast Ranges to B.C. & n. ID
Native Habitat: Wooded slopes below 6000 ft.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rich, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Slow to establish.
Benefit
Use Medicinal: The Skagit tribe used Berberis nervosa medicinally in a root preparation to treat venereal disease (D. E. Moermann 1986).Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Increase is possible with seed.Seed Collection: Ripe fruits may be pick by hand, using heavy gloves, or flailed onto cloth beneath the bushes. Seeds can be removed through maceration and flotation.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Mahonia nervosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Mahonia nervosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Mahonia nervosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-17Research By: TWC Staff