Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ranunculales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Berberidaceae
Genus
Berberis L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Berberis aquifolium Pursh (1814)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt., Gen. N. Amer. Pl. (1818)
 Description

Shrub 0.5–1–(2) m high, many-stemmed and stoloniferous. Lvs to c. 25 cm long, composed of 3–7 pairs of sessile (excluding the terminal) leaflets, without basal pair of stipule-like leaflets; petiole (0)–1–4 cm long, dark red. Most leaflets 5–9.5 × 2.5–5 cm, ovate or elliptic-ovate, glossy above, prominently reticulate; margins undulate and spinose-dentate; apex spiny. Scales at base of fascicled racemes 5–10 mm long, membranous, brown. Racemes eventually to 6 or 7 cm long. Bracts broadly ovate, much < pedicels at anthesis. Perianth segments to 7 mm long, ovate to obovate, imbricate; segments of innermost whorl shorter and emarginate. Stamens included; filaments with 2 teeth. Stigma sessile. Berry c. 10 mm diam., globose, blue-black, pruinose.

[From: Webb et al. (1985) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4 as Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Hosking, J.R., Conn, B.J., Lepschi, B.J.; Barker, C.H. 2011: Plant species first recognised as naturalised or naturalising for New South Wales in 2004 and 2005. Cunninghamia 12(1): 85–114.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
Morley, B.D. 2007: Berberidaceae (less Nandina). In: Flora of Australia. ABRS. 357–362.
Nuttall, T. 1818: The Genera of North American Plants. Vol. 1. Philadelphia.