It has blue colored berries on it for months - Ask Extension
Is this poisonous? What is it?The bush is about five feet tall and four feet in diameter and has hardly grown at all in one year since I've found it o...
Knowledgebase
It has blue colored berries on it for months #352094
Asked August 10, 2016, 10:08 PM EDT
Is this poisonous? What is it?
The bush is about five feet tall and four feet in diameter and has hardly grown at all in one year since I've found it on the property.
The bush is about five feet tall and four feet in diameter and has hardly grown at all in one year since I've found it on the property.
Hamilton County Tennessee
Expert Response
This looks to me like Holly-leaved Barberry, also known as Tall Oregon-Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) in the Barberry family (Berberidaceae). Check out this link:
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=maaq2
It is the state flower in my new home state, Oregon, but as you can see in the above link, it has a wide distribution in North America. Here is some more info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahonia_aquifolium
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=maaq2
It is the state flower in my new home state, Oregon, but as you can see in the above link, it has a wide distribution in North America. Here is some more info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahonia_aquifolium
Melanie,
I believe that is it. It is in a pineland understudy as described. Yet I can't remember seeing the yellowing blossoms in springtime, I'll have to watch for that.Very ironic that I suffer from severe GI issues and this has been used by tribes to treat such. Very good to know it shouldn't be toxic to my dogs as the berries hang low enough they could easily eat them, (although they've shown no interest to them).
As well as making wine from it, hmm...
Thank you so much,
Jeff P.
I believe that is it. It is in a pineland understudy as described. Yet I can't remember seeing the yellowing blossoms in springtime, I'll have to watch for that.Very ironic that I suffer from severe GI issues and this has been used by tribes to treat such. Very good to know it shouldn't be toxic to my dogs as the berries hang low enough they could easily eat them, (although they've shown no interest to them).
As well as making wine from it, hmm...
Thank you so much,
Jeff P.
Have no knowledge about this plant, but want to be sure you realize that perennial plants will not flower/fruit until mature and culture conducive. Good luck with both, and possible wine.
Geo,
Sorry for the quality of my picture as the bush has berries on it in this picture above, (pea sized blue colored berries). I hope to catch it flowering this year and will get a picture of it then. It has been growing on a place on my property seldom visited. Have also found honeysuckle / sassafras / cherry tree(s) and many more trees / shrubs / vines that I'm happy to find.
Jeff P.
Sorry for the quality of my picture as the bush has berries on it in this picture above, (pea sized blue colored berries). I hope to catch it flowering this year and will get a picture of it then. It has been growing on a place on my property seldom visited. Have also found honeysuckle / sassafras / cherry tree(s) and many more trees / shrubs / vines that I'm happy to find.
Jeff P.
Despite my limited knowledge, I believe the blue berries and those leaves are conclusive for Mahonia, but you need to be sure if plan to make wine or otherwise ingest. Also, wouldn't a lot of berries be needed?
