Mexican barberry
Mahonia gracilis

Family: Berberidaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2 m tall and spreads 0.9-1.5 m wide. It has few branches and forms suckers easily. The stems are thin. The leaflets are shiny and usually overlapping. They are light green and oval and have teeth and are spiny. The flowers are golden. They are in erect racemes. The fruit are in long clusters. They ripen from white to pink to blue.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It can tolerate cold once established. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Central America, Mexico, North America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Berberis gracilista;