Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Diné bikéyah Chi’l nooséłígíí Bąąhą́ą́nosin
Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Oregon grape
Tséch’ilndtł’izíyilt ’ą́ą ’í
(a.k.a. Oregon grape holly, Mahonia aquifolium)

Green foliage with yellow flowers on a background of reddish dried leaves.
H. Zell [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Oregon grape is native to parts of the western United States. It is not a grape or a holly, but rather a type of barberry. It grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet and has dark, glossy leaves with spines along the leaf margins. It produces purple berries, which are a source of food for wildlife. The berries were traditionally used for food and dye.

Bright yellow inflorescence
H. Zell [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Yellow flowers and shiny leaves
Kurt Stüber [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Growth habit and glossy pinnate leaves
I, Hugo.arg [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Closeup of yellow flowers and glossy leaves with tiny spines on leaf margins
Jean Tosti [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Cluster of small bright blue berries with red foliage behind them and green foliage farther behind them.
H. Zell [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Scientific Name
Berberis aquifolium
Plant Type
Brush
Growing Season
Warm Season
Habitat
Brushlands
Flower Color
Yellow

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