Berberis aquifolium

Classified in the genus Mahonia by Kartesz (1994) and many other sources; also sometimes treated in the genus Berberis as B. aquifolium (FNA vol. 3).

Mahonia aquifolium (= Berberis aquifolium) is native and relatively common in western North America, from Alberta south through California into northern Mexico. Roots, stem, and leaves of this species are wild-collected for medicinal use and are traded in the medicinal, herbal, and landscaping markets. M. aquifolium is reportedly used as a substitute for an herb that is heavily commercially traded. It is also the preferred species in this genus for commercial collection due to its large root size. This species may be threatened over time by increased interest in its medicinal properties if wild-collection is not monitored.

Mahonia aquifolium has two divergent ranges in North America; Alberta south through California and northern Mexico and Ontario south through Kentucky. It is native in Alberta south through California, but an escaped landscaping plant in the eastern portion of the U.S. and Canadian range.

Mahonia species are reportedly used as a substitute for goldenseal (Tilford 1998). Some experts in the medicinal plant industry have suggested that trade is medium to large and demand has increased over the past ten years (Robbins 1999). According to Michael McGuffin, president of the American Herbal Products Association, current demand is relatively modest. But increased interest is possible. Therefore, trends in commercial interest and collecting activities should continue to be monitored even though it is relatively common in its native range. This species is traded in the medicinal, herbal, and landscaping markets (Vance et al. in press). Mahonia aquifolium is the preferred species in this genus for commercial collection due to large root size (Vance et al. in press). See Vance et al. (in press) for suggested guidelines for sustainable harvesting techniques.