The mahonias are flowering – the shiny evergreen foliage is offset by terminal panicles of yellow flowers. Mahonia napaulensis grows within Quercus and Rhododendron forest at 2,780metres. Our specimen in the Herbarium car park was collected in Nepal on a ridge north of Kumatoang, and has sprouted late extension growth. The leaves are just turning green from the juvenile bronze. When mature, there is a vague blue tint to the foliage.

Following the recent frosty spell, the tips of these leaflets have turned black. Survival to maturity may be doubtful.

Several racemes extend from the terminal bud, individual flowers are a bright yellow, most welcome in this season of low daylight hours. The delicate scent from these flowers is an added bonus.

Mahonia napaulensis

Mahonia napaulensis