What does mahonia mean?
Mahonia is a noun for a group of evergreen shrubs native mainly to western North America. Its members belong to the barberry family and commonly have leathery leaves divided into spiny leaflets, along with dense clusters of small yellow flowers. Several species are widely cultivated in temperate gardens because they tolerate shade and poor soil while providing evergreen structure, flowers, and, in some cases, blue or purplish berries. The term is also associated with Oregon grape, especially the species Mahonia aquifolium, whose foliage resembles holly. Gardeners may use mahonia as a hedge or specimen shrub, while botanical writers capitalize the name when referring to the genus as a whole. Although its appearance is ornamental, mahonia belongs to the same broader family as barberry and should not be confused with the unrelated tropical trees whose wood is called mahogany.
nounAny of a genus of evergreen shrubs in the barberry family, native to North America and noted for their leathery, often spiny leaves and clusters of yellow flowers. The name is also applied to plants commonly called Oregon grape.
- An evergreen shrub of the genus Mahonia, especially one grown ornamentally for its yellow flowers and leathery, spiny foliage.
"A yellow-flowering mahonia brightened the shaded border throughout early spring."
"Yellow flowers bloomed across the mahonia hedge in early spring."
"The mahonia, known scientifically as Mahonia aquifolium, is an evergreen shrub native to western North America."
The regular plural is used when referring to individual shrubs or multiple members of the genus.
"Several mahonias grew along the woodland path."
Mahonia combines evergreen, holly-like foliage with bright yellow flowers, bringing color to shady borders.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mahonia come from?
Mahonia is a New Latin botanical genus name created in honour of Bernard de Jussieu, the French botanist. The name belongs to the tradition of commemorating botanists and plant collectors in the names of plant genera.
How mahonia is actually used
In formal botanical usage, Mahonia is capitalized when the genus is intended. In ordinary gardening usage it is often lowercase, although Oregon grape more specifically refers to certain species, particularly Mahonia aquifolium.
Easily confused with mahonia
Mahonia generally has evergreen, pinnately compound leaves, whereas barberry is usually deciduous and has simple leaves.
Mahonia is a flowering shrub, while mahogany refers to tropical hardwood trees or the wood obtained from them.