larity of its shiny, evergreen, prickly-toothed leaves to those of the 

 common cultivated English holly (Ilex aquifolium), a tree whose 

 scientific name traces back to the Koman naturalist Pliny (23-79 

 A. D.). In fact, aquifoliwn (literally, sharp-leaf) later came to 

 mean holly and, with this significance and resemblance in mind, 

 was adopted by the Saxon botanist Pursh, who spent the years 1799- 

 1811 in botanical travel in North America, as the specific name of 

 Oregon-grape. The English name, hollygrape, now standardized 

 for the genus, in turn refers to the hollylike character of the foliage 

 of these shrubs. 



It is fitting that this handsome, conspicuous shrub, which is so 

 intimately associated with the magnificent forests of the Northwest, 

 should be chosen as the floral emblem of the State of Oregon. 

 During the spring the shiny green leaves of Oregon-grape and its 

 fragrant, bright yellow flower clusters form a rare and beautiful 

 combination; the bunches of dark waxy blue berries lend color to 

 the woods in late summer and early autumn, but it is not until 

 winter, when the polished leaves turn bronze and crimson, that this 

 plant is at its best. It is a beautiful shrub in any season. 



Oregon-grape is essentially a plant of the Northwest, as it ranges 

 from British Columbia to northern California. It occurs principally 

 in the Douglas fir region west of the Cascade Mountains, but is also 

 common on the eastern slope of the Cascades and, according to 

 Piper, 1 extends eastward to western Idaho. This species usually 



frows on the floor of coniferous forests in moderately moits, rich, 

 umous soils. It is common on rocky slopes and canyon bottoms in 

 the shade, but also occurs occasionally on drier, openly exposed, rocky 

 slopes, on brushy hillsides, or under stands of aspen, alder, or other 

 hardwoods. Oregon-grape extends from sea level to the summit of 

 the Cascades. It often grows in abundance, being one of the most 

 conspicuous undershrubs in the Douglas fir forests. 



Oregon-grape is practically worthless as livestock forage because 

 it is not ordinarily consumed except on overgrazed ranges or areas 

 where palatable vegetation is naturally scarce. However, it is 

 browsed lightly to moderately by both deer and elk, especially in the 

 fall and winter, when deciduous shrubs have lost their leaves, and 

 the herbaceous vegetation has largely disappeared. 



This species has been extensively cultivated as an ornamental both in this 

 country and in Europe. Although too large for small rock gardens, it is 

 useful in larger gardens, particularly when pruned regularly to prevent the 

 plant from becoming leggy. 2 The attractive winter foliage is often used for 

 Christmas decorations. The berries are very acid until touched by frost, when 

 they become more palatable. The fruit is often made into jelly, and the juice, 

 reputedly, makes excellent wine. The Indians eat the berries raw. The wood 

 of this plant, as well as of the other western hollygrapes, is a bright golden- 

 yellow and has been utilized by some aboriginal tribes in making yellow dye. 

 The bitter bark of the roots has long been recognized for its valuable medicinal 

 properties ; a decoction made from the bark is a favorite tonic of the Indians, 

 being used both as a cure for stomach troubles and as a blood purifier. Ex- 

 tracts of the bark of Oregon-grape are now used in modern medicine as an 

 alterative, laxative, and tonic in the treatment of various diseases. 



1 Piper, C. V. THE IDENTIFICATION OF BERBERIS AQUIFOLIUM AND BERBERIS REPENS. 

 TJ. S. Natl. Mus., Contrib. U. S. Natl. Herbarium 20 : 437-451, illus. 1922. 



2 Gabrielson, I. N. WESTERN AMERICAN ALPINES. 271 pp., illus. New York, 1932. 



