Oregon Grapes

"Oregon Grapes" (Mahonia nervosa)

2008 April 13th
Flower Bud

2007 May 12

2007 May 13

2007 August 6

2007 August 6

2007 August 6

I remember my Mom making Oregon Grape jelly so tried to make some last year (2006 from the tall growing variety from the coast). A very musky taste, a taste we weren't too fond of ... not a "make again" we decided! Reading about them now, I see that the First Nation's made a jelly from them to eat with meats ... now I could perhaps see this jelly as a paring with meat. The fresh berry is bitter to the taste but edible.

A bright yellow dye can be and was made from the inner bark of the stems and roots.