The genus Mahonia is not universally accepted. Many botanists prefer to treat it as part of Berberis - as per the Flora of N. America[]. However, although they are very closely related (and there are some intergeneric hybrids), from the point of view of the gardener they are quite distinct genera. We are therefore following the treatment in the Flora of China[] which treats them as distinct. There is, however, at least one major revision (of the Chinese genera) currently (2016) in preparation and we will review the position of Mahonia once we have seen that revision[].

Common Name:

General Information

Mahonia fortunei is an evergreen shrub with erect, unbranching stems; it usually grows 50 - 200cm tall, occasionally reaching 400cm[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of a dye. It is sometimes cultivated as a medicinal plant and,, especially in Indonesia, as a dye plant and a hedge. It is often grown as an ornamental in warm temperate gardens[].
The plant is commonly cultivated in Indonesia (western Java), where it has escaped from cultivation and is naturalized at elevations around 1,000 metres[].

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

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Range

E. Asia - southern and western China

Habitat

Forests, scrub thickets, roadsides, along streams and on the margins of cultivated fields; at elevations from 300 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the warm temperate zone, it can tolerate occasional, short-lived temperatures falling as low as -5 to -10°c. The young growth in spring is even more sensitive, and can be damaged by ltemperatures around 0°c[, ]. The plant is commonly cultivated and has become naturalized in the tropics of western Java, where it is grown at elevations around 1,000 metres[].
Prefers a semi-shaded woodland position, succeeding also in deep shade, but requires some protection from direct sun in the heat of the day[, ].An easily grown shrub, it thrives in any good garden soil[] including heavy clays. Grows best in a damp but well-drained, slightly acid to neutral humus-rich soil[, ].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut right back into old wood if they have outgrown their welcome[].
This species hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.
The flowers are very sweetly scented[]. Due to their habit of flowering in late autumn, fruits are rarely formed in regions with cold winters[].
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[]. We have no data on susceptibility for this species[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. An acid flavour, but it makes an acceptable dessert fruit and is especially nice when added to muesli or porridge[]. Unfortunately, there is relatively little flesh and a lot of seeds[]. The purple-blue fruit is up to 6mm in diametr[].

Medicinal

Mahonia fortunei is an important and commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is used interchangeably with Mahonia bealei. The stem and roots are said to have the properties of "clearing heat and dry dampness, purge fire and remove toxins" and have been used for the treatment of conditions such as dampness-heat diarrhoea, dysentery, jaundice, red urine, red painful swelling eyes, toothache caused by stomach fire, sore and deep-rooted boils, swelling and abscesses[].

The root and stem are used in the treatment of fevers[].

The root bark is used in the treatment of influenza, jaundice, testicular swelling, arthritic pain[].
A decoction of the root is febrifuge and odontalgic[].

The leaf has shown anticancer properties[].


Mahonia species have a long history of medicinal usage, with several members of the genus being commonly used in traditional medicine and also in modern herbalism. They are employed in the treatment of a wide range of conditions and have, in particular, been demonstrated to exert good efficacy in the clinical treatment of dysentery, internal and external haemorrhage, acne vulgaris and chronic pharyngitis amongst other diseases. Phytochemical research into this genus has resulted in the identification of more than 150 chemical constituents, amongst which alkaloids are predominant. The isolated compounds and crude extracts have been shown to exhibit a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimutagenic and analgesic properties[]
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 is grown as a hedge[]

Other Uses

A dye obtained from the root and stem is used for dyeing cotton yellow or brown. It is used for batik cloth in Indonesia. The colouring matter is probably berberine[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[]. 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 the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their next winter.
Division of suckers in spring[]. Whilst they can be placed direct into their permanent positions, better results are achieved if they are potted up and placed in a frame until established[].
Leaf cuttings in the autumn.