Mahonia (Berberidaceae) BSWJ10400

volcanica

A rare species in cultivation that, we collected the seed of at 3,500m from Volcán Zunil, near Quetzaltenango in Guatemala, in 2004. Only forming small well branched shrubs to approximately 1.2m tall and wide, with 3 to 11 spine tipped undulating leaflets forming the pinnate evergreen foliage, that are grey-green held on reddish rachis. Bearing terminal and axillary compact panicles of small yellow scented flowers late winter early spring for us. Followed by blackish fruit. Best grown in good light, taking exposure if not accompanied by sub-zero temperatures. Found growing in long tufted grass along with stunted trees of Buddleja, Alnus and Quercus on an open exposed mountainside.