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Leatherleaf Mahonia
The Mahonia bealei commonly known as the Leatherleaf Mahonia is a evergreen shrub that stand 4-10 feet tall and has pinnate compound leaves. The Mahonia bealei is an invasive species to North America, from Western China. The Mahonia can be planted as a specimen or as a foundation shrub or border. It can resist droughts and salty soils, as well, but this species is invasive in the Southeast United States. The color of this shrub is usually green, but for this plant needs tone grown in partial or full shade. The color will bleach out if this shrub is grown in full sun, but does require a few hours of sun per day to flower. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil but tolerates heavy clay. A member of the Berberidaceae Family, Leatherleaf Mahonia colonizes by basal sprouts. Seed from ripe fruit can immediately germinate. It hybridizes freely with other members of this genus.Leatherleaf Mahonia is a stiff, prickly evergreen shrub somewhat resembling native American Holly (Ilex opaca) but instead having large compound leaves and yellow flowers with blue berries. Mahonia aquifolium, Oregon Grape Holly, is a native American relative of leatherleaf.

Description
This is an informal, multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub with irregular, strong upright stems that have limited branching. It grows up to 10' tall, is upright, and is scarcely branching. Showy but weakly foetid, yellow blooms appear in the late winter. Abundant grape-like fruits appear in late summer. Leatherleaf Mahonia has a pinnate compound leave evergreen leaves. Leaflets are sessile have spines and terminal larger than others. Mahonia bealei grows slow and in shady areas, it can grow to about 10 foot tall. Flowering occurs in late winter and early spring, when fragrant, lemon-yellow flowers develop .The fruits are blue colored berries, about a half inch long, that turn bluish black with a grayish bloom. Fruits hang in grapelike clusters and are glaucous, covered with a white waxy coating .The erect stems are stiff and unbranched.

Toxicity
Mahonia bealei has berries that are used in pies, jellies, jams, beverages and confections. The yellow flowers are eaten or used to make a lemon-ade like drink. If these berries are fermented and distilled they make a good wine Mahonia bealei it’s ripe fruit are too acidic to eat raw but can be mixed with sugars or other berries to make jelly or pies. They are used to help the flavor of milder fruits or to make a lemon-ade like drink. Young leaves are simmered in water and eaten as a snack. The Mahonia bealei is not toxic in small amounts just acidic, these berries could be eaten raw but the seeds to pulp ratio is not large enough so most of these berries are boiled and strained.

Distribution and Habitat
The Mahonia bealei is native to China. It was brought over to Europe from China in the 1800's. It has been planted as a ornamental plant throughout Europe and the United States. Birds eat the seeds of this invasive plant and spread them throughout the United States. Mahonia bealei is beginning to establish in the southern United States forest such as South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Leatherleaf Mahonia has been planted as an ornamental and is now invading woodlands in the southern United States. It is particularly common in bottomland forests. Leatherleaf mahonia grows well in shade to partial shade. It may not flower if it doesn't get at least a couple hours of sun each day, though, does not like hot, midday sun in the southern zones. Leatherleaf Mahonia is native to China, but has been available to Western gardeners for generations. It was brought to Europe from its home in China in the 1800s. It has been planted as an ornamental and is now invading woodlands in the southern United States. The shrub's ability to tolerate many sites, and the fact that birds eat the berries, has allowed Leatherleaf Mahonia to naturalize in parts of the United States. Other States Where Invasive: AL, GA, MI, SC, TN. Federal or State Listed as Noxious Weed, Prohibited or banned.

Ethnobotany
Mahonia bealei has been used to treat internal viral infections such as strep throat and tuberculosis .This invasive plant can also be used to treat bacterial infections such as dysentery and food poisoning. Mahonia bealei is also very high in tannins so this can help "strained muscles, arthritis pain and body aches associated with fever . The best way to get these properties out of the Mahonia bealei is to boil and strain the fruits from this plant. Plants of the Mahonia genus, which is in the Berberidaceae family, these plants have been used in medicine for a long time in its native land as China, as a treatment for periodontitis, dysentery, tuberculosis and wounds. The majority of Mahonia species suppress pain that's how they are effective, stopping coughing and lessen inflammation.

Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 7-9 where it is easily grown in moist, well-drained soils in part shade (morning sun or sun dappled shade) to full shade. Also tolerates full sun (albeit often with some bleaching of foliage colors), but only in the cooler northern parts of its growing range. Established plants tolerate some soil dryness and drought. Mahonia bealei site in locations protected from exposure to strong winds. Plants will spread by suckering. Unless naturalization is desired, suckers should be promptly removed as they appear. Single specimen shrubs may fruit poorly. Grow more than one shrub together for best fruit production. Easily propagated from cuttings or seed".

Invasive
As is the case with many invasive species, Mahonia bealei was introduced intentionally with the purpose of landscaping and. Originally from China, leatherleaf mahonia is wanted by landscapers and homeowners because of the shape of this shrub, Mahonia bealei also attracts wildlife because of the berries. Birds easily spread the seeds from the berries after they eat them then spread them after. Mahonia bealei needs to be closely monitored as an invasive species it out competes other trees and shrubs with natural predator and parasites. The spiny leaves that the Mahonia bealei deter them from being eaten by omnivores such as whitetail deer and give them a advantage to out compete other native plants. Getting rid of the of the plant you must pull the seedlings cutting the stumps and using herbicides to stop the regrowth of this invasive species.