Oregon Grape

A shiny, green evergreen shrub with Holly shaped leaves. Native to the Pacific Northwest. Oregon Grape has a bitter and cold energy that serves as a gentle stimulant to the liver while it helps to shrink and dry the mucous membranes. It has been used to treat psoriasis, poor appetite, indigestion, oral herpes and bronchitis. Considered a potential analog for Goldenseal. It has a high berberine content in the roots, which are dug in fall or early spring. The berries make a great purple dye. Lovely native plant for the herbal landscape. Plant can grow to 5 feet and spreads laterally underground sending up multiple suckers around the mother plants. Prefers full to partial sun and drought tolerant once established. Perennial. Hardy to zones 5-8.