Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Creeping Oregon-grape
Berberis repens
Berberis/Vancouveria family (Berberidaceae)

Oregon Grape is one of the region's earliest flowering plants. The growth form, yellow flowers, and blue grape-like amid holly-like leaves make this a distinctive plant. The tart can be used to make a refreshing drink. Herbalists use this plant for fevers, inflammation, indigestion, and liver disorders. "Mahonia" honors Bernard McMahon, Thomas Jefferson's favorite nurseryman and friend of Thomas Nuttall who named this for him in 1818. "Repens" is Latin for "creeping."


©2012 Jerry Oldenettel

Description

Low, trailing, shrub, 4-10" tall, with stiff branches and (ground level stems). Clusters of yellow flowers are arranged in narrow at end of stem. Flowers mature into grape-like clusters of blue with a chalky coating. Holly-like leaves are , glossy, and with 5-7 -tipped per stem.

Field Marks

Low trailing shrub with holly-like leaves, attractive yellow flowers, and blue .

© Al Schneider

An evergreen tree retains a large portion of its green leaves all year.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

A leaf is compound when multiple leaflets are on the same stem.

spine -- a stiff, sharp structure formed by the modification of a plant organ that contains vascular tissue. A spine can be formed by a latteral branch, a modified leaf or a thorn.

stolon -- A slender modified stem running along the ground, rooting at the tip, and sprouting new plants. Strawberries have stolons. Also called runners.

pinnate -- A compound leaf with two rows of leaflets.

The botanical term "berry" is different from common usage. Strawberries and raspberries are not berries. But a tomatoe is. A true berry is a fruit with the seeds immersed in the pulp.

A raceme is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along its axis.

alternate -- leaves alternate along the main stem and are attached singly.

leaflets -- Each little leaf-like thing in a compound leaf is a leaflet.