Classification

Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Magnoliidae
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Berberidaceae
Genus: Mahonia Nutt 
Species: Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt

Mahonia aquifolium: Photo Courtesy of Dennis Stevenson

The Oregon Grape is put into these categories because it exhibits all of the following traits.
Domain:
Eukarya- Organisms that contain eukaryotic cells (i.e. nuclear envelope and membrane bound organelles).
Kingdom: Plantae- All organisms that are multicellular, exhibit alternation of gernerations, possess a cell wall made out of cellulose, contain chlorophyll, and are autotrophic via photosynthesis are considered to be plants.
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta- Any plant that contains vascular tissue (xylem and phloem).
Superdivision: Spermatophyta- Plants that reproduce with the production of seeds. Mahonia aquifolium Grapes: Courtesy of Stadkatze
Division: Magnoliophyta- Plants that produce flowers and seeds that are enclosed in ovarian tissue (fruit).
Class: Magnoliopsida- Also known as eudicots, or dicots, which contain two cotyledons, netlike veins, ring arrangement of vascular tissue, a taproot, pollen with three openings, and floral organs usually in multiples of four or five.
Subclass: Magnoliidae- A group of trees or shrubs that are considered the most primitive of plants remaining today. Some characteristics are well-developed perianths and apocarpous ovaries.
Order: Ranunculales- Basal grouping of the flowering plants, includes herbs, vines, and shrubs.
Family: Berberidaceae- Herbs or shrubs that have spines or spiny-margined leaves.
Genus: Mahonia- Nutt  Genus of barberry shrubs that have yellow flowers.
Species: Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt-  Oregon Grape is a flower that contains evergreen leaves, yellow flowers, blue berries, and is a well-established flower in the Pacific Northwest. Mahonia aquifolium: Courtesy of Dennis Stevenson

Here are two phylogenetic trees to help show how the Oregon Grape is related to other similar organisms. 

 Phylogenetic Tree: Modified from mobot.org

Phylogenetic Tree: Modified from Pineywoods Plants Digital Gallery

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