Mahonia fortunei - Chinese mahonia

Approximately seventy species of Mahonia are native to Central and North America and Asia. The genus Mahonia is very closely related to the barberries (Berberis.) Stem and floral characters separate the two genera. The compound foliage of this species is very different from the simple leaves of locally cultivated barberry. Chinese mahonia has soft, dark green leaves and attractive yellow flowers in winter. It branches more than some mahonia species, giving it a full, bushy appearance. The small blue-black fruits are seedy but edible. Reportedly, compounds from this plant are being studied for their antibacterial properties.

This is an easy shrub for a shady spot in a northeast Florida garden. It is very adaptable except to wet soils.