Mahonia japonica
Oregon Grape
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Mahonia japonica.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
The growth habit of Berberis japonica.
KENPEI / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo details
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Source: File:Mahonia japonica4.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Fruit of Berberis japonica.
Agnes Monkelbaan / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Tuinen Mien Ruys (actm) 13.jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Common names
3 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Oregon Grape
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Japanse mahonia
- French
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- Mahonia du Japon
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
General information
Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.
Sources [1]Kew's family placement for the genus Mahonia (WCVP v16).
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Shade, Partial shade, Full sun
Uses
Fruit
Fragrant
Description
Fruit - can be eaten raw or cooked. It has a sour taste but is delicious as an addition to muesli or porridge. The flesh is limited and contains many seeds. The egg-shaped fruit is about 9mm long and ripens in the spring. The plant thrives well in sheltered locations, and the fruits grow in large clusters, making them easy to harvest.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Relevant sections
- Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Mahonia japonica (Thunb.) DC., name ID 2358497, row 1325338; Berberis japonica (Thunb.) Spreng., name ID 2673980, row 1325336
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 506622; name ID 2358552; Mahonia Nutt.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.