Oregon’s state flower! The shiny and spiky leaves on this tall plant resemble holly, but they are not related. There are 2 species of Oregon Grape common to Silver Falls forests and meadows: B. aquifolium and B. nervosa. Both have attractive yellow flower clusters and blue fruit. The distinguishing characteristic between them is the leaf and the growth pattern. B. nervosa is low growing and spreading, whereas B. aquifolium is a taller shrub with shinier leaves with wavy edges.
- Stems have yellow inner bark, twigs smooth; bud scales 4–8 (14) mm, deciduous.
- Leaves are leathery on top, dull on the bottom; leaflets 5 to 9 inches, thin and flexible or rather rigid, glossy and smooth, green; terminal leaflets as long as wide, veined from base, wavy edges, each leaf margin with teeth, tipped with spines, tips pointed or sometimes rounded; petioles 1–6 cm.
- Fruits oblong-ovoid, 6–10 mm, dull grayish-green or blue color.
- Rarity: Common
- Flowering time: March to June
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Height 1-4 feet
- Habitat: Open woods and shrublands
- Native: Yes
Sources: Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest, Oregon Flora Project
