A Mahonia trifoliolata shrub typically grows 2-6 feet tall and wide, with prickly trifoliate leaves, fragrant yellow flowers, and globular red berries. From western Texas to Arizona south to northern Mexico, this plant is native to flats and slopes in grassland, shrubby areas, rocky hillsides, pastures, and open woodlands. Each thick leaflet of a trifoliate leaf has 1-3 spines. Early spring is a time for yellow flowers to bloom in axillary clusters. Edible berries mature from orange to red after the flowers bloom. The berries can be used to make jams and jellies. Birds find berries appealing.
Plants can be grown in full sun to light shade in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in USDA Zones 7-9. It tolerates slightly alkaline soils. Drought-tolerant. Place the plant in a location that is protected from strong winds. Plants spread through suckering. If naturalization is not desired, suckers should be removed as soon as they appear. There may be problems with fruiting on a single specimen shrub. For best fruit production, plant more than one shrub together.
