Mahonia, sent in by Timothy, Piedmont SC

Plant was found in wooded area of yarrd when clearing out invasive English Ivy. Looks to be some kind of holly, but there are no other hollies in the area that look like this one. Tried to identify online, but could not find anything.

 

Hi Timothy,

 

your plant is Mahonia bealei, the Leatherleaf mahonia, a non-native shrub often planted in the area.  I like this plant in my garden, partly because it is evergreen and because it is such a slow grower.  It does sometimes escape – the birds distribute the seeds of the berries.   You can see more about it here: http://people.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/mabe.html

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Hill, Botanist

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