EDIBLE IMPOSTOR
M. O. STEVENS
PETER O’CONNOR
has occasionally been used to make wine, though
the berries are very tart in flavour. For medicinal purposes, herbalists often tout the Oregon grape as
an invaluable source for natural remedies. It can be
used to ease internal discomforts such as indigestion, stomach ulcers, heartburn, and upset stomach,
and its root has similar properties to goldenseal. It
can also be used topically in homeopathic creams
and salves as a way to treat skin conditions such as
psoriasis and eczema.
The primary differentiating factor between the two
is each plant’s respective flowers and berries. In the
spring and summer months, European holly blooms
with dull white flowers, each with four petals. Oregon
grape, by contrast, blooms in the spring with flowers
in a bright, cheerful yellow. Beginning around October,
European holly has clusters of the rich, cherry-red berries that make it popular for festive decorating. Oregon grape, however, has deep purplish-blue berries
that are similar in colour to the traditional grapes that
give the plant its name. European holly is also typically
found higher above the ground than Oregon grape; the
trees of European holly usually grow to be four to eight
metres high, while shrubs of Oregon grape are generally less than one metre tall.
Confusing European holly for Oregon grape is an
easy mistake to make, but it can cause unwary foragers unnecessary trouble; know the plants’ physical
differences, and save the holly for the holidays.
MAJA DUMAT
An Oregon grape in full
view with closeups of
the leaves, berries, and
flowers
TODD PETIT
(Opposite) A European
holly tree in full view
with closeups of the
leaves, berries and
flowers
SPRING/SUMMER 2016
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