Plant Details

Mahonia pumila

Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping barberry, Grape Oregon

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Mahonia pumila.

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Common names

5 names · 3 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Creeping barberry
  • Creeping Oregon Grape
  • Grape Oregon
Other languages (2)
Dutch
  • Kruipende mahonia
French
  • Mahonia rampant
Sources & name notes

Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

General information

Scientific name: Mahonia pumila
Accepted name (Kew): Berberis pumila View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. Botanical references may use alternative names.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Berberidaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Mahonia (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Creeping Oregon Grape, Creeping barberry, Grape Oregon

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.30 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4-8
Soil moisture:
Moist, Well-drained
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade, Full sun

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Ground cover

Description

Fruit - raw or cooked. Although there is no specific information about the edibility of this species, it is assumed to be non-toxic. The fruit likely has a sour taste and is suitable for making jam and jelly. The fruit is about 10 mm in diameter.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: WCVP version 16, wcvp_names.csv: Mahonia pumila (Greene) Fedde, name ID 2359280, row 1327646; Berberis pumila Greene, name ID 2674342, row 1327647
    • 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.