Oregon grape

noun

Or·​e·​gon grape ˈȯr-i-gən- 

ˈär-, 

-ˌgän-

: an evergreen shrub (Berberis aquifolium) of the barberry family that has yellow flowers, bears edible bluish-black berries, and is native to western North America

Illustration of Oregon grape

Examples of Oregon grape in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How Berberine Affects the Kidneys Berberine is a natural plant compound found in plants such as barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape. — Md Published, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2026

The spiny, prickly leaves of Oregon grape holly start bronze-red in the spring, then turn green and become purple-red in the winter. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 13 Aug. 2026

Berberine Berberine is a compound found in plants such as barberry, Oregon grape, and goldthread. — Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 20 June 2025

Japanese honeysuckle, dewberry, dogwood, blackberry cane, and Oregon grape are all examples of regional species that are highly favored by deer—and most of them can last well into the winter. — Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024

Berberine is a natural compound found in various plants, including goldenseal, turmeric, and Oregon grape. — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Oregon, state of the U.S.

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Oregon grape

• audiotape
• videotape
• agape
• escape
• landscape
• lenape
• reshape
• seascape
• soundscape
• ape
• cape
• crape

Medical Definition

Oregon grape

noun

Or·​e·​gon grape ˌȯr-i-gən-, ˌär-, -ˌgän- 

: an evergreen shrub of the genus Berberis (B. aquifolium) having a rhizome and roots from which various alkaloids (as berberine) are obtained