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Glite Dictionary
Mahonia nervosa

Mahonia nervosa

9.9
A small evergreen shrub with grey-green leaves, yellow flowers and blue berries that grows in western North American forests
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Mahonia nervosa
  • In her garden, she planted a beautiful Mahonia nervosa that blooms with yellow flowers.

Examples

  • Many gardeners appreciate the decorative Mahonia nervosa for its evergreen leaves and vibrant flowers.

  • The Mahonia nervosa is known for its striking blue berries during the fall.

  • We moved some plants around, including this Mahonia nervosa.

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Synonyms

Oregon grape
vsMahonia nervosa
  • US
8.1

A small evergreen bush with spiny leaves, yellow flowers, and blue-black berries

has grey green leaves and plain blue berries instead of spiny blue-black ones

Surface Forms

Mahonia nervosa singular
Mahonia nervosas plural

Morphology

Mahonia + nervosa

This is a botanical binomial composed of the genus name 'Mahonia' and the species epithet 'nervosa', so the meaning is literally a Mahonia plant characterized by the trait indicated by 'nervosa' (prominent veins). Because the sense is directly derivable from the constituent meanings (a Mahonia shrub with notable veining), learners who know both parts can infer the referent.

Etymology

Mahonia nervosa is named for the gardener Bernard McMahon, so Mahonia honors him and nervosa comes from Latin meaning 'many veins'. The name fits because the shrub's leaves have clear veins, so the name helps you remember the plant.