View source for Oregon grape

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Oregon-grape
| image = Mahonia aquifolium.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Ranunculales]]
| familia = [[Berberidaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Mahonia]]''
| species = '''''M. aquifolium'''''
| binomial = ''Mahonia aquifolium''
| binomial_authority = (Pursh) Nutt.
}}

'''Oregon-grape''' (''[[Mahonia]] aquifolium'', [[Berberidaceae]]) is an evergreen [[shrub]] related to the [[barberry]]. Some authors submerge ''Mahonia'' in the barberry genus, ''[[Berberis]]''. The plant is in no way related to [[grape]]s, but gets the name from the purple clusters of berries. It is sometimes called '''Tall Oregon-grape''' to distinguish it from [[Creeping Oregon-grape]] (''Mahonia repens'') and "Cascade" or [[Dwarf Oregon-grape]] (''M. nervosa''). The name is often left un-hyphenated as '''Oregon grape''', though doing so invites confusion with the true [[grape]]s.  It also occasionally appears in print as '''Oregongrape'''.

[[Image:Mahonia aquifolium3.jpg|thumb|left|Flowers]]

Oregon-grape grows to 1-5 m tall. Its leathery leaves resemble [[holly]] and the stems and twigs have a thickened, corky appearance. The flowers, borne in late spring, are an attractive yellow. 

Oregon-grape is used in landscaping similarly to barberry, as a plant suited for low-maintenance plantings and loose hedges. Oregon-grape is resistant to summer drought, tolerates poor soils, and does not create excessive leaf litter. Its berries attract birds.

The small purplish-black fruits, which are quite tart and contain large seeds, are sometimes used locally mixed with [[Salal]] to make jelly. As the leaves of Oregon-grape are holly-like and resist wilting, the foliage is sometimes used by florists for greenery and a small gathering industry has been established in the [[Pacific Northwest]].  The inner bark of the larger stems and roots of Oregon-grape yield a yellow dye.

Oregon-grape is a native plant on the North American west coast from [[British Columbia]] to northern [[California]], occurring in the understory of [[Douglas-fir]] forests and in brushlands.  It is the [[List of U.S. state flowers|state flower]] of [[Oregon]].

In some areas outside its native range, Oregon-grape has been classified as an invasive exotic species that may displace native vegetation [http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/urbanwt/WIS_pages/Introduced%20Shrubs.htm], [http://ncbg.unc.edu/pages/74/], [http://www.se-eppc.org/southcarolina/SCList.pdf],
[http://www.tneppc.org/Invasive_Exotic_Plant_List/The_List.htm]

== Medicinal Use ==
The plant is used medicinally by herbalists.  Recent studies indicate that M. aquifolium contains a specific multidrug resistance pump inhibitor (MDR Inhibitor) named 5'methoxyhydnocarpin (5'MHC) which works to decrease bacterial resistance to antibiotics and antibacterial agents. 
[http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/97/4/1433.pdf]

Oregon grape root is commonly used medicinally as an effective alternative to the threatened [[goldenseal]]. Both plants similarly contain the [[alkaloid]] [[berberine]], known as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial used in the treatment of infection.[http://health.howstuffworks.com/medical-uses-for-oregon-grape-ga.htm]  Berberine and other alkaloids present in Oregon grape root have been shown to kill a wide range of microbes and have been effective in speeding recovery from giardia, candida, viral diarrhea, and cholera.{{fact|date=February 2007}} Oregon grape root also has anticancer properties that are receiving more attention by researchers.{{fact|date=February 2007}}  Other actions may include [[alterative]], [[diuretic]], [[laxative]] and [[tonic]].[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8411.php]

'''Health Warning:''' Because of a potential toxicity or adverse effects of berberine, consult a reputable herbalist regarding dosages and treatments. Use of berberine is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[http://allnutritionals.com/natural-products/goldenseal-hydrastis-canadensis-l-berberine.shtml]

==See also==
*[[s:Our State Flowers: The Oregon Grape|The Oregon Grape]] in [[s:Our State Flowers: The Floral Emblems Chosen by the Commonwealths|"Our State Flowers: The Floral Emblems Chosen by the Commonwealths"]], ''[[National Geographic|The National Geographic Magazine]]'', XXXI (June 1917), pp. 481–517.

==External links==
{{commons|Mahonia aquifolium}}
*[http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/maaq2.htm ''Mahonia aquifolium'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]

===Medicinal use===
*[http://health.howstuffworks.com/medical-uses-for-oregon-grape-ga.htm Medical Uses for Oregon Grape] from howstuffworks.com
*[http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/g/gramou33.html Mountain Grape] from Botanical.com
*[http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8411.php Medicinal Use] from Appliedhealth.com

[[Category:Berberidaceae]]
[[Category:Flora of Northwestern United States]]
[[Category:Flora of British Columbia]]
[[Category:Flora of Oregon]]
[[Category:Symbols of Oregon]]
[[Category:Flora of Idaho]]