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Common Name:

General Information

Mahoberberis aquisargentii is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2 metres tall
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it makes an excellent security hedge.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain the alkaloid berberine - this is most concentrated in the roots, stems and inner bark, and least concentrated in the fruits. In small quantities berberine has a range of effective medicinal applications but, in excess, can cause vomiting, lowered blood pressure, reduced heart rate, lethargy, and other ill-effects.
The fruit of most, if not all, members of this genus are more or less edible and can be eaten in quantity since the levels of berberine in the fruit are very low.

Botanical References

Range

A bi-generic hybrid of garden origin, Mahonia aquifolia x Berberis sargentii.

Habitat

Not known in the wild.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils in sun or shade[, ]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil[].
Plants only flower and fruit after a long warm growing season[].
Some Berberis/Mahonia species (especially Berberis vulgaris) harbour the black stem-rust fungus (Puccinia graminis Persoon). This is a major disease of wheat and barley crops and can spread from infected barberries to the grain crop. The sale or transport of susceptible or untested species of Berberis is illegal in the United States and Canada[]. This species is reputedly immune to rust[].

Edible Uses

The fruit is almost certainly edible, but we do not know what its quality is[].

Medicinal

Berberine, an alkaloid that is universally present in the rhizomes and stems of Mahonia species, has been shown to have a marked antibacterial effect[] and is also used as a bitter tonic[]. Since it is not appreciably absorbed by the body, it can be used orally in the treatment of various enteric infections, especially bacterial dysentery[].
Berberine has also shown antitumour activity[].
The plant should not be used with Glycyrrhiza species (Liquorice) because this nullifies the effects of the berberine[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has viciously spiny leaves and makes a good boundary shrub[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. It usually germinates in the spring[]. 'Green' seed (harvested when the embryo has fully developed but before the seed case has dried) should be sown as soon as it is harvested and germinates within 6 weeks[]. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible in late winter or spring. 3 weeks cold stratification will improve its germination, which should take place in 3 - 6 months at 10°c. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. This species is a bi-generic hybrid and, if seed is produced, it is very unlikely to breed true.
Wounded nodal semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn[].