Mahonia japonica

[Taiwan] mahonia is in the barberry or Berberidaceae family and is native native to Taiwan in China.

• It is an evergreen shrub growing to 2 m tall by 3 m wide.
• Leaves are pinnate and up to 25 cm long, with 6-8 pairs of leaflets, with spiny leaflets which are leathery and resembling those of holly. The plant produces new shoots regularly from the base, so it is clothed in foliage at all levels.
• Flowers are yellow, scented, in inflorescences 25 cm or more long in early spring.
• Berries are oval, blue to bluish-black, developing in spring and summer.