Mahonia repens, May 12, 2021
Common & scientific name
Creeping Oregon grape, Mahonia repens
Family
Barberry, Berberidaceae
Location
Difficult Campground, 8,200’
Fun, weird, helpful, or little known fact
This hardy plant is abundant throughout our area. An evergreen, it is able to withstand many degrees of heat, cold, and drought, and its leaves turn a beautiful red in the fall (some of which remain red in the spring, as seen in this photo). The berries are edible, but much more delicious to bears than people!
M. repens in fruit, Weller Lake, 9,800’, August 14, 2021