Mahonia fremontii

Mahonia fremontii is a species of flowering plant in the barberry family, Berberidaceae. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in various types of habitats, including desert scrub and woodlands.

Description

Mahonia fremontii is an evergreen shrub growing up to 4.5 meters tall. The leaves are compound with 3 to 7 leaflets, each leaflet up to 5 centimeters long. They are gray-green, thick and leathery, and edged with spiny teeth. The inflorescence is a raceme of several bright yellow flowers. The fruit is a berry up to 2 centimeters long, ripening purple. The plant is named after the American explorer and politician John C. Frémont.

Distribution and habitat

Mahonia fremontii is found in the southwestern United States, specifically in the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Texas. It also extends into northern Mexico. The plant is adapted to a variety of habitats, from desert scrub to woodlands, and is often found on rocky slopes and in canyons.

Uses

The berries of Mahonia fremontii are edible and have been used by Native American tribes as a food source. The plant has also been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments.

Conservation

While Mahonia fremontii is not currently listed as threatened or endangered, its habitat is being impacted by human activities such as development and agriculture. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting its habitat and maintaining healthy populations.

See also

• List of Mahonia species
• Flora of the Southwestern United States

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