Summary ⁶

Mahonia bealei is a shrub native to mainland China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang). The species has sometimes been regarded as the same species as Mahonia japonica, native to Taiwan, but the two differ consistently in certain floral and leaf characters. Both species are widely cultivated in many countries as ornamentals. Mahonia bealei has reportedly escaped cultivation and become established in the wild in scattered places in the southeastern...

Description ⁷

Leatherleaf mahonia is native to China. It has been planted as an ornamental and is invading woodlands in the southeastern and mid-Atlantic states. It is an evergreen shrub that grows 5-10 ft. tall. The unusual leaves are pinnately compound, about 18 in. long with 9-13 paired, glossy holly-like leaflets. The leaflet margins have 2-7 teeth per side that are about ¼ in. or less in length. Leaflets are very thick and stiff. Flowering occurs in early spring. Fragrant yellow flowers emerge from the tips of the plant in attractive spike-like sprigs. The fruits are green berries that turn bluish black with a grayish bloom. Fruits hang in grapelike clusters.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Steve Rainwater, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/steevithak/7028520023/
2. (c) Judith Lopez Sikora, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5OtLacsV2Sc/UWxx5bggSSI/AAAAAAAAR3U/tovltJVWWUU/P1010528.JPG
3. (c) Drew Avery, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3556989844_796291c536.jpg
4. (c) Peter A. Mansfeld, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Mahonia_bealei_pm1.jpg
5. Daderot, no known copyright restrictions (public domain), https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Mahonia_bealei_-_Brooklyn_Botanic_Garden_-_Brooklyn%2C_NY_-_DSC07923.JPG
6. Adapted by Kate Wagner from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahonia_bealei
7. (c) Unknown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/22734067

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• eFloras.org
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
• SEINet Symbiota portals
• Tropicos
• World Flora Online

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