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| Texas Mahonia Mahonia swaseyi (Berberis swaseyi) Berberidaceae Texas mahonia is endemic to the Edwards Plateau, where it grows in full sun to light shade in rocky limestone soil. It is similar to agarita (B. trifoliolata), with which it shares habitat but is much less common, and red barberry (B. haematocarpa), but is distinguished by its foliage, which turns reds and purples in the fall, and by its slightly larger, more orange fruit. Like red barberry, it has five or more spiny leaflets, whereas agarita has only three. It has many fragrant yellow flowers in early spring, followed by amber-red fruit, which attracts birds and other wildlife. Texas mahonia is very worthy of landscape use, but it is rarely available in nurseries, whereas agarita is sometimes grown by specialty growers.
Plant Habit or Use: small shrub
Exposure: sun Flower Color: yellow Blooming Period: spring Fruit Characteristics: red - orange or red - amber berry Height: to 5 feet Width: to 5 feet Plant Character: evergreen Heat Tolerance: very high Water Requirements:
Soil Requirements: alkaline Additional Comments:
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