Mahonia fortunei
Encyclopedia
Mahonia fortunei is a medium-size shrub in the Mahonia
genus and Berberidaceae
family. It is a mutli-stemmed upright shrub native to China
, East Asia
and the Himalaya. It is commonly known as Chinese Mahonia.
Mahonia is a genus of about 70 species closely related to the genus Berberis. The genus name Mahonia is controversial because Bontanists believe this genus should be included in the genus Berberis. There is no definite morphological distinction between the two geneses, and hence Botanists argue the existence of a separate genus called Mahonia.
shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet tall. It grows upright, round and spreads over an area of 3 to 5 feet across. The overall growth rate of this shrub is slow to moderate which gives rise to its moderate density. The leaf type is odd-pinnately compound and the leaves are alternate in arrangement. Leaves are pale yellowish green in color. The abaxially located leaves occasionally appear slightly glaucous. The blade of the evergreen leaves between is 4 to 8 inches. The rachis of the leaflet is about 1–2 mm in diameter. The internodes located between two nodes are estimated at 1.5–4 cm in length. The foliage is borne in tufts at the top of the stems. It produces small yellow flowers in autumn, winter and spring. The flowers are inflorescence, 4–10 fascicled racemes. The shrub is hermaphroditic since the flowers consists of both male and female reproductive organs. It is an entomophilus plant because pollination occurs via insects. The flowers on this plant have a sweet pleasant scent. And the fruits on this shrub are blue-black fleshy berries that are small and round in shape. The berries have an acidic flavor to them, and are rich in vitamin C. The berries are edible but have too many seeds, making them difficult to eat. The fruit can be cooked or eaten raw. It does not lose its acidic flavor even after cooking.
is present. Berberine is anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and febrifuge in nature. Febrifuge and odontalgia are extracted from the rhizome of the Mahonia fortunei. Febrifuge helps reduce fever by lowering the body temperature. Odontalgia on the other hand, treats toothache while also treating other problems related to teeth and gum. Berberine is an antioxidant found in the shrub that gives it anti-cancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This compound has antibacterial effects, and thus kills bacteria. The human body is unable to absorb berberine, and hence it is used orally in the treatment of various intestinal infections, one of which is bacterial dysentery. Mahonia fortunei is used as a bitter tonic because it improves general health through a steady advancement in health. Berberine in Mahonia fortunei prevents and is effective in treating tumors. It interferes and suppresses the growth of various types of cancer cells. It also acts as a natural herbal antidepressant, and protects nerves against various nerve degenerative diseases.
Mahonia
Mahonia is a genus of about 70 species of evergreen shrubs in the family Berberidaceae, native to eastern Asia, the Himalaya, North America and Central America. They are closely related to the genus Berberis. Botanists disagree on the acceptability of the genus name Mahonia...
genus and Berberidaceae
Berberidaceae
Berberidaceae are a family of 15 genera flowering plants commonly called the barberry family. This family is in the order Ranunculales. The family contains about 570 species, of which the majority are in Berberis...
family. It is a mutli-stemmed upright shrub native to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
and the Himalaya. It is commonly known as Chinese Mahonia.
Mahonia is a genus of about 70 species closely related to the genus Berberis. The genus name Mahonia is controversial because Bontanists believe this genus should be included in the genus Berberis. There is no definite morphological distinction between the two geneses, and hence Botanists argue the existence of a separate genus called Mahonia.
Description
It is a evergreenEvergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
shrub that grows 3 to 5 feet tall. It grows upright, round and spreads over an area of 3 to 5 feet across. The overall growth rate of this shrub is slow to moderate which gives rise to its moderate density. The leaf type is odd-pinnately compound and the leaves are alternate in arrangement. Leaves are pale yellowish green in color. The abaxially located leaves occasionally appear slightly glaucous. The blade of the evergreen leaves between is 4 to 8 inches. The rachis of the leaflet is about 1–2 mm in diameter. The internodes located between two nodes are estimated at 1.5–4 cm in length. The foliage is borne in tufts at the top of the stems. It produces small yellow flowers in autumn, winter and spring. The flowers are inflorescence, 4–10 fascicled racemes. The shrub is hermaphroditic since the flowers consists of both male and female reproductive organs. It is an entomophilus plant because pollination occurs via insects. The flowers on this plant have a sweet pleasant scent. And the fruits on this shrub are blue-black fleshy berries that are small and round in shape. The berries have an acidic flavor to them, and are rich in vitamin C. The berries are edible but have too many seeds, making them difficult to eat. The fruit can be cooked or eaten raw. It does not lose its acidic flavor even after cooking.
Medicinal Uses
“Mahonia Fortunei” has many medicinal uses. It has properties such as anti-cancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. The leaves exhibit anti-cancer property, whereas the rhizomes are antibacterial in nature. In the rhizomes of Mahonia fortunei, an alkaloid compound called BerberineBerberine
Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis Berberine is a quaternary...
is present. Berberine is anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and febrifuge in nature. Febrifuge and odontalgia are extracted from the rhizome of the Mahonia fortunei. Febrifuge helps reduce fever by lowering the body temperature. Odontalgia on the other hand, treats toothache while also treating other problems related to teeth and gum. Berberine is an antioxidant found in the shrub that gives it anti-cancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This compound has antibacterial effects, and thus kills bacteria. The human body is unable to absorb berberine, and hence it is used orally in the treatment of various intestinal infections, one of which is bacterial dysentery. Mahonia fortunei is used as a bitter tonic because it improves general health through a steady advancement in health. Berberine in Mahonia fortunei prevents and is effective in treating tumors. It interferes and suppresses the growth of various types of cancer cells. It also acts as a natural herbal antidepressant, and protects nerves against various nerve degenerative diseases.