Habitat/Geography
Mahonia aquifolium is a flower that contains
evergreen leaves, yellow flowers, blue berries, and is a
well-established flower in the Pacific Northwest, which is
why it was anointed the state flower of Oregon.
After being
introduced into Europe in 1822 for ornamental purposes, it
took 38 years for M. aquifolium to self pollinate
and exist outside of gardens. The Oregon Grape is now a
successful invasive species in Europe and is also found in
wide range of niches including calcareous mixed forests, dry
and hot conditions, to pine forests on sandy soils. The main
functions of the Oregon Grape in these environments would be
to provide food, protection, and shade for animals that are
in that ecosystem. Another important function of the Oregon
Grape would be to help with erosion control and soil
fixation, since it has an elaborate root system containing a
dominant taproot.