Mahonia aquifolium ?

[Pete Collins]

Is this Mahonia aquifolium, also known as Oregon Grape?

I found it today on the National Trust's Ashridge Estate on the Bucks/Herts border, along the main path from the Bridgewater Monument to Ivinghoe Beacon.

[naturelover]

I only know it as mahonia,got one in the garden.

[aeshna5]

I would say it is Mahonia aquifolium, which you can find naturalised in places.

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by naturelover

I only know it as mahonia,got one in the garden.

I asked my Mum what she thought it was, and she said it was mahonia as she's got one in the garden!

I then looked mahonia up in a wildflower book, and saw that mahonia aquifolium was naturalised in a few places, so that's what I guessed it would be.

[Wez]

It looks like Oregon Grape to me too.

[polygro]

It could certainly be Mahonia aquifolium.

There are so many different types of Mahonia. The dense clusters of flowers makes it very likely to be aquifolium. The Japonicas and hybrids often have spikes rather than clusters of flowers and they usually flower earlier than this.

Polly

[Pete Collins]

Cheers -thank you all for your replies. My first new flower of the year!