44. Mahonia acanthifolia Wall ex. G. Don BERBERIDACAEAE

This shrub, which has attractive, scented, yellow flowers, occurs from Uttarakhand in India to South-West China, at altitudes of 2000 to 3000 metres. The fruit is edible, the root yields a yellow dye, and the wood can be used by carpenters for inlaying. It is also used medicinally – the roots, stem, bark and wood being the source of alkaloids.

Photograph of Mahonia acanthifolia taken in the wild in Nepal (Mark Watson)