Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Mahonia pinnata (Lag.) Fedde

Synonyms

Berberis fascicularis (DC.) Sims
Berberis pinnata Lag.
Mahonia fascicularis DC.
Mahonia leschenaultii (Wall.) Takeda (misapplied)

Family

Berberidaceae

Common Names

California barberry, cluster holly-grape, holly grape, mahonia, shiny-leaf barberry, shinyleaf mahonia, wavyleaf barberry

Origin

Native to south-western USA (i.e. south-western Oregon and western California) and northern Mexico.

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised in some parts of south-eastern Australia (i.e. on the central and southern tablelands of New South Wales and in the ACT).

Notes

Wavyleaf barberry (Mahonia pinnata) is regarded as an environmental weed in south-eastern New South Wales and as a "sleeper weed" in other parts of south-eastern Australia. This species is often cultivated as a garden ornamental in temperate regions. It produces small grape-like fruit and is spread into natural areas by birds.

Wavyleaf barberry (Mahonia pinnata) was first recorded as naturalised in New South Wales in 1987, and is an occasional weed of gullies in the Blue Mountains and Southern Tablelands regions of this state.