mahonia

noun

ma·​ho·​nia mə-ˈhō-nē-ə 

: any of a genus (Mahonia) of American and Asian shrubs (such as the Oregon grape) of the barberry family

Examples of mahonia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Best ways to use leatherleaf mahonias This is not an ordinary shrub. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

This is a great weekend to plant leatherleaf mahonias. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024

For shrubs, consider yew, mahonia, boxwood, and gardenias. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024

This antimicrobial herb can help mild-to-moderate psoriasis when applied to the skin, says the NPF, which suggests using a cream with 10% mahonia. —Cathy Cassata, Health.com, 12 Nov. 2021

The plants that seem to be showing the most damage in central Arkansas are: loropetalum, gardenia, abelia, wax leaf Ligustrum, pineapple guava, confederate jasmine, palms, Soft Caress mahonia, and Distylium. —Janet Carson, Arkansas Online, 1 Mar. 2021

My abelia, Soft Caress mahonia and pineapple guava all have burned leaves. —Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 22 Feb. 2021

For folks who aren’t familiar with them, leatherleaf mahonias are cousins of nandinas. —Neil Sperry, ExpressNews.com, 9 Apr. 2020

The name Soft Caress tells you this is not your typical mahonia. —Norman Winter, idahostatesman, 31 Jan. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Bernard McMahon †1816 American botanist

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mahonia

noun

ma·​ho·​nia mə-ˈhō-nē-ə 

1

capitalized : a genus of North American and Asian shrubs (family Berberidaceae) that have unarmed branches and pinnate leaves and are sometimes included in the genus Berberis

2

: any shrub of the genus Mahonia