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Information About

California Barberry




  Name California barberry
  Regnum Plantae
  Divisio Magnoliophyta
  Classis Magnoliopsida
  Ordo Ranunculales
  Familia Berberidaceae
  Genus '' Mahonia ''
  Species '''''M pinnata'''''
  Binomial ''Mahonia pinnata''
  Binomial Authority (Lag) Fedde


The shrub California barberry has two Latin names used by botanists, '''''Berberis pinnata''''' and '''''Mahonia pinnata'''''. The genus '''''Mahonia''''' is sometimes considered to be part of '''''Berberis'''''. Another common name for this species is '''shinyleaf mahonia'''. It is a dark green bush which resembles Holly with its serrated leaves but bears round purple fruits that look like small grapes. The plant is found on the west coast of North America on coastal mountain slopes.

This species is quite similar to the Oregon-grape ('' Mahonia Aquifolium ''), and is sometimes called the '''California Oregon-grape'''. Its fruits are not true Grape s, but they are edible, if a bit sour and packed with seeds. They have also been used to produce purple Dye . Former medicinal uses of the plant include an edible bark preparation as treatment for Fever , Rheumatism , and Dysentery .