Oregon Grape
Latin name : Mahonia spp.
Hul'qumi'num : Suniiulhp (dull) | Lulutth’sulhp (tall)
“Suniiulhp (Dull Oregon Grape) is particularly common in second growth closed-canopy forests of ts’sey’. Lulutth’sulhp (Tall Oregon Grape) is found in drier, more open and often rocky sites than suniiulhp. Both plants have yellow flowers and blue berries. Suniiulhp and lulutth’ulhp berries are tart and sour and not often eaten. The berries are used in a children’s game, seeing who can put the most berries in their mouth without responding to the sour taste and making a face. The plant’s bark and berries have medicinal values. Suniiulhp has medicinal and spiritual uses, including the green flower for stomach trouble, and the roots for yellow paint.”
— Except from Hul'qumi'num Ecosystem Guide
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), a hardy evergreen shrub native to North America's Pacific Northwest, is celebrated for its striking holly-like leaves and clusters of bright yellow flowers that yield small, grape-like berries. These berries are often used to make jams and jellies and are known for their tart taste. Beyond its culinary appeal, Oregon grape has a history of medicinal use in herbal remedies. Its roots contain berberine, a compound with potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Traditional herbalists have harnessed Oregon grape's powers to address various health concerns, including digestive discomfort and skin irritations. With its unique combination of ornamental beauty and medicinal potential, Oregon grape stands as a cherished plant in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
”This evergreen plant with holly-like leaves gives us an excellent liver tonic. Before the introduction of alcohol, people pounded and boiled the stems and roots and drank the extract as a remedy for skin diseases and as a general tonic to induce a reviving feeling. It continues to be a fine way to ingest the benefits of this shrub, although it is quite bitter. Another method of using Oregon grape root is by tincturing it alcohol. “
— Dora
