How to identify Leatherleaf mahonia (Berberis bealei)

How to identify Leatherleaf mahonia (Berberis bealei)

Leatherleaf mahonia is a robust, multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub that can achieve heights of up to 10 feet (3 meters). It has a distinctive tiered growth with cane-like stems and sparse branching. Its odd-pinnately compound leaves are rigid, accompanied by sessile, spiky leaflets— the terminal leaflet notably larger than the others. During the late winter, leatherleaf mahonia displays conspicuous, aromatic yellow flowers, which give way to clusters of grape-like fruit in the late summer. Its drought and moderate salt tolerance are noteworthy, though it exhibits invasive tendencies in certain regions.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Leatherleaf mahonia

Odd-pinnately compound leaves with stiff, spiny-toothed leaflets, terminal leaflet larger.

Distinctive tiered growth with cane-like stems, sparse branching, reaching up to 10 feet (3 meters).

Aromatic yellow flowers in late winter, followed by grape-like clusters of blue-black berries.

Roundish, stout stems with a gray-brown hue, branching pattern from base, sturdy appearance.

Lemon yellow flowers in dense terminal racemes, each flower 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide.

Detailed Traits of Leatherleaf mahonia

Leaf Features

The leaves of leatherleaf mahonia are alternate and odd pinnately compound, measuring 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) long. Each leaf consists of 9-13 sessile leaflets, with the terminal leaflet being larger than the lateral ones. The leaflets are olive-green, rigid, spiny-toothed with 3-4 teeth per side, and their bases slightly overlap. The texture is stiff, aiding in recognition. These characteristics are distinctive for identification purposes.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of leatherleaf mahonia are lemon yellow, exuding a faint, somewhat unpleasant odor. They are arranged in short and densely packed terminal racemes. Each flower measures approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter, featuring multiple petals that form a small, star-like shape. Blooming occurs primarily in late winter to early spring, making these flowers a bright, albeit subtle, herald of the changing seasons.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stems of leatherleaf mahonia are roundish and stout, presenting a robust structure. As they mature, they transition to a gray-brown hue, providing a distinguishing feature. The texture is generally smooth but can develop slight roughness with age. The stems often exhibit a branching pattern that starts closer to the base, contributing to the plant’s dense appearance. They typically reach a diameter of around 1 inch (2.5 cm), making them noticeably thick and sturdy compared to similar species.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of leatherleaf mahonia is a captivating, globose berry measuring less than 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter. These berries present a striking blue-black hue. The smooth yet firm texture of the outer surface, along with the rich coloration, makes it discernible. Inside, the flesh encases seeds that play a role in the propagation of leatherleaf mahonia. Despite the attractive appearance, caution is advised as the berries may not be edible for humans.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

A Botanist in Your Pocket

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them

Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Leatherleaf mahonia and Their Similar Plants

Japanese barberry vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Berberis thunbergii, colloquially known as japanese barberry, is a flowering deciduous shrub commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea is the most popular cultivar of this species, known for its characteristic dark red to violet foliage and bright red berries.

Oregon grape vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Oregon grape originates in western North America and flowers in early spring. The bark of the oregon grape can be used to make a yellow dye, while the berries create a purple dye.

Common barberry vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Common barberry is a shrub with unpleasant-smelling flowers and red berries. The flowers can be used to create yellow dye while the berries have culinary and medicinal uses in Iran and medicinal use in China that dates back 3,000 years. Despite this, common barberry can be a host to wheat rust that is highly damaging to grain crops in America.

Darwin's barberry vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Charles Darwin discovered this barberry (Berberis darwinii) in 1835 on his second voyage on the Beagle. Coming from the harsher climatic regions of Chile and Argentina, it is hardy, easy to grow, and wind-resistant. Its dark green leaves, golden flowers on red stalks, and purple-blue berries add color to a winter garden, but garden escapees can become a nuisance.

Creeping barberry vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Creeping barberry (Berberis repens) is a hardy shrub that grows 46 to 76 cm tall and 61 to 91 cm wide. It originated in Northern California, as well as the Sierra Nevada. This species grows best in well-drained loamy soils.

Wintergreen barberry vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Wintergreen barberry (Berberis julianae) is an evergreen shrub that will grow to 1.2 m tall and 1.8 m wide. It blooms clusters of yellow flowers in spring. Berries ripen to blackish-blue in fall attracting birds and other wildlife. Colorful foliage with leaves changing color from green to burgundy in winter. Requires full sun to partial shade.

Chinese mahonia vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Chinese mahonia is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub that grows well in shady areas. With its holly-like leaves and mismatched tufts of yellow flowers, this plant can add interest to a garden or be grown indoors as a houseplant.

Chinese holly vs. Leatherleaf mahonia: What's The Difference?

Chinese holly is an upright shrub that produces wonderful yellow flower stalks. When not in bloom, the plant is equally attractive thanks to its somewhat prickly leaves. This species is one of the parents of the highly popular garden hybrid Mahonia x media, which includes a dozen of well-known cultivars.

Identify Leatherleaf mahonia easily and quickly

We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.

Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Leatherleaf mahonia

Attributes of Leatherleaf mahonia

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

50 cm to 4 m

Spread

90 cm to 2.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Bronze

Flower Size

8 cm to 15 cm

Flower Color

Yellow

Green

Fruit Color

Green

Black

Purple

Blue

Identify plants with a snap

Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.

Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Leatherleaf mahonia

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Buttercups, poppies and allies

Family

Barberry

Genus

salmon barberry

Species

Leatherleaf mahonia (Berberis bealei)

Learn More About the Leatherleaf mahonia

Distribution Map of Leatherleaf mahonia

Leatherleaf mahonia originates from Central and Southern China, where it's an ornamental plant. Its distribution is confined to neighboring regions such as Japan and Vietnam. Leatherleaf mahonia's natural habitat is situated in partial shade in low-lying woodland.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Leatherleaf mahonia

A Comprehensive Guide to Leatherleaf mahonia How to Grow and Care for Leatherleaf mahonia