CHAP. VIII. 



BERBF.nA^CE.T:. MAHO'n/^. 



509 



characters ascribed to this genus, and those ascribed to Berbeiis, as ex- 

 hibited in p. 229., are not sufficient to keep them separate as genera ; yet 

 the habits of the species of one, as to the mode of growth, foliage, and in- 

 florescence, are so distinct from those of the other, as to induce us to adopt 

 Mahon/a. The species in British gardens are all of comparatively slow 

 growth, and admit but of slow multiplication by layers, and scarcely at all 

 by cuttings. Some of them, however, seed freely, and are readily propagated 

 in that way. Four species have been introduced, and they are described 

 by Dr. Lindley, in the Penny Cydopcedia, as being included in a section of 

 the genus Berberis. 



• 1. M. fascicula'^ris Dec. The crow died-racemed Mahonia, or Ash Berberry. 



Identification. Hook. Fl. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 28. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. 108., and Syst, 2. p. 19. ; Don's Mill, , 



1. p. 118. 

 Synonymes. Berberis pinnita Lag., Bot. Reg., t. 702., and Bot. Mag., 2d edit. vol. 1. t. 88. ; B. fascicu- 



laris Pen. Cyc. In the same work it is stated that Mah6n/a diversifolia is the same as this 



species ; though it is figured and described by Sweet, as a species from Monte Video : see Swt. Br. 



Fl.-Gar., 2d series, t. 56. 

 Engravings. Ker. Bot Reg., t 702. ; Kth. \ov. Sp. Amer,, 5. p. 71. t. 434. ; Bot. Mag., t. 2396. ; and 



OMxfig. 56. 



Spcc.Char.ySfc. Leaves 

 of 3 — 6 pairs with 

 an odd one, the low- 

 est pair near the 

 base of the petiole. 

 Leaflets ovate-lan- 

 ceolate, rather dis- 

 tant, one-nerved, 

 spiny-toothed, with 

 4 or 3 teeth on 

 each side. Racemes 

 nearly erect, much 

 crowded. Filaments 

 bidentate. (Don's 

 Mill, i. p. 118., 

 adapted.) A very 

 handsome tall ever- 

 green shrub, which 

 attains, in British 

 gardens, especially 

 if against a wall, the 

 height of 8 or 10 ft. 

 and produces its 

 yellow flowers in 

 abundance, from the 



middle of March to the middle of May. " Perhaps the most showy of all 

 the family." (Bot. Mag., 2d edit. vol. i. p. 48.) It is found in the moun- 

 tainous parts of California and Mexico. It is readily distinguished at a 

 distance from the other mahonias, by the glaucous green and subdued tone 

 of colour of its leaves ; those of all the others being of a darker green, and 

 more or less shining. The plant is rather too tender to be treated as a 

 bush, unless some slight protection be given to it during very severe frosts ; 

 but it will grow freely against a wall with scarcely any protection. There 

 is a fine specimen of it in the London Horticultural Society's Garden, more 

 than 8 ft. high. In the nurseries, plants are at present rather scarce, and cost 

 from 5s. to Is. each. 



m 2. M. Jquifo^lium N'utf. The Holly-leaved Mahonia, or Ash Berberry. 



Identification. Nutt. Gen. Amer., 1. p. 212. ; Dec. Prod., 1. p. lOa ; Don's Mill, 1. p. 118. 



Synonyme. Berberis /Jquifotium Ph. and Pen. Cyc. 



Engravings. Pursh. Fl. Amer. Sept., 1. t. 4. ; Bot. Reg., t. 1425. ; and our^^. 57. 



Varieties. One variety, M. A. nutkdna Dec, is mentioned by De CandoUe {Prod., i. p. 108.) ; 



and another, found at the junction of the Portage river with the Columbia, by G. Don, {Don't 



Mm., i. p. 118.) 



Z 4 



