2. Oregon Grape

Figure 2: Oregon Grape
Mahonia Aquifolium 
(Photo by author)


The photographs I took of this vibrant little shrub were easily some of my favourites. The leaves were gorgeous shades of bright green and rich red, which added some variety to the golden-brown autumn landscape. 

Figure 3: Oregon Grape close-up. 
The bottom-most leaves turn red first in autumn.
(Photo by author)



In the shrub-steppe portion of the Skeena trail landscape there was plenty of space for smaller plants to thrive. Clusters of what I believe to be an Oregon Grape shrub added a pleasant "autumnness" to the trail with their bright red bottom leaves. Part of what interested me in this particular species was its vibrant colour, which added to immediate visual attractiveness of the place. Species such as the Oregon Grape are perfect for a landscape such as Skeena Trail which is valued for its contribution to "the view" of the community (to enchant the nearby neighborhoods, as well as potential new buyers). Oregon Grape grows in tall, upright bunches of glossy green and red leaves, often in a small "herd" of its own kind. Although a stray Oregon Grape stem would pop up under a Ponderosa Pine tree or two, the majority of these plants seemed to seek out locations with less shade and competition. Although I would have liked to see these shrubs in bloom, as well as any native species that might feed on the berries they produce, the redness of the autumn dryness added a warm atmosphere to the trail, and the jagged shape of the leaves made for some fun photography.

Location (North America): North American west coast Habitat: can flourish in many different environments, such as spacious forested areas, meadow borders, and among the BC Interior sagebrush-populated hills; thrives in partial shade, open landscapes, and drier soil quality (Royal BC Museum 2011). Size: can grow up to 1-1.5m; on occasion a plant might reach 2.5m (Royal BC Museum 2011). Characteristics: evergreen-type shrub (Pella 2009); thick, glossy leaves, green and red in colour; leaves have jagged edges and grow in clusters of 2-3; yellow blossoms during spring/summer, which bloom into berries (Royal BC Museum 2011). Notes: Native Americans would use the Oregon grape root for yellow dye (Pella 2009) as well as for medicine and food. Reddish leaves can indicate either autumn colouring or dainty, new growth (Royal BC Museum 2011). The texture of the red leaves I observes was dry and tattered, indicating fall colouring rather than fresh growth.

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Location (North America): North American west coast

Habitat: can flourish in many different environments, such as spacious forested areas, meadow borders, and among the BC Interior sagebrush-populated hills; thrives in partial shade, open landscapes, and drier soil quality (Royal BC Museum 2011).

Size: can grow up to 1-1.5m; on occasion a plant might reach 2.5m (Royal BC Museum 2011).

Characteristics: evergreen-type shrub (Pella 2009); thick, glossy leaves, green and red in colour; leaves have jagged edges and grow in clusters of 2-3; yellow blossoms during spring/summer, which bloom into berries (Royal BC Museum 2011).

Notes: Native Americans would use the Oregon grape root for yellow dye (Pella 2009) as well as for medicine and food. Reddish leaves can indicate either autumn colouring or dainty, new growth (Royal BC Museum 2011). The texture of the red leaves I observes was dry and tattered, indicating fall colouring rather than fresh growth.