Fremont's Mahonia
Berberis fremontii
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Berberidaceae
- Genus:
- Berberis
- Species:
- Berberis fremontii
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr, may, jun
- Bloom Colors:
- Yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- adapted to arid, rocky environments
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are placed in cold stratification or stratified naturally by planting them in the fall in a thin layer of sand on mulched field beds.
Establishment: M. fremontii is found in southern Colorado and Utah and northern New Mexico and Arizona, as well as in the southwestern United States and Great Basin from California to Colorado and New Mexico. Germination was equal in light and dark. Seeds are wild collected during fall months and are kept separated according to site, elevation and source. Mature fruit is a blue berry containing several seeds.
Source: npn.rngr.net