Oregon Grape is a
non-native
perennial plant of the UK, typically found growing in hedgerows and waste ground, to a mature height of up to 200cm.
The Oregon Grape shrub, often known simply by its genus name 'Mahonia', is a native of North America, introduced into the UK in the nineteenth century. Despite its name, the plant is not a grape plant, but does produce dark grape-like berries, which are sometimes used to make wine or jam. Another name for the Oregon Grape is 'Holly-Leaved Berberry' and this is descriptive of the plant's glossy, spiny-edged leaves.
Botanic classification and naming: Oregon Grape is a member of the Barberry (Berberidaceae) family. The genus name
'Mahonia' identifies the plant as a evergreen shrub of the Berberis family and its species name 'aquifolium' means 'holly-leaved plant'.
Benefits: Birds feed on the berries of this plant.
Benefits to wildlife are also indicated with orange icons in the plant profile bar at the top.
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