Mahonia?

[Stephenb]

Could this be a young Mahonia? It's edible fruited from Canadian seed...

[razvan chisu]

looks more like a berberis to me

[Hoy]

Mahonia and Berberis are almost the same! But I agree it looks more like a Berberis seedling but I haven't grown many Mahonias from seed either.

[Maggi Young]

I'm sure it is either a Mahonia or a Berberis... but when I first saw the thumbnail photo I thought it looked like a nice fat Shortia.   Saw the error of my ways when I enlarged the picture.

Not to worry- getting eyes tested soon!

[TheOnionMan]

I'm sure it is either a Mahonia or a Berberis... but when I first saw the thumbnail photo I thought it looked like a nice fat Shortia.   Saw the error of my ways when I enlarged the picture.

Not to worry- getting eyes tested soon!

Aha!  Our eyes trick us into seeing what we want top see initially... I saw Stephen's thumbnail and thought it looked like a red-tinged spiny-leaf Chinese Epimedium seedling, then saw the error of my ways too  

[Lesley Cox]

I too thought Shortia- however could he think THAT was a Mahonia? then enlarged. Probably because I potted up 40 shortias yesterday, from JW's seed. In spite of what is now turned into an official drought for the lower South Island, the shortias are safe in cool shade and will be watered daily.

You're right Mark, we see (and hear) what we WANT to see (and hear).

[Maggi Young]

You're right Mark, we see (and hear) what we WANT to see (and hear).

We do indeed... I was just searching the photo again...... for Stephens's thumb nail Doh!

[Stephenb]

Thanks everyone - of course it's a Berberis - I thought it didn't quite fit. For Maggi (nobody's ever wanted to see my thumb nail before...):

[Hoy]

I am wishing for Shortia and/or Epimedium seedlings but it is no way I can mistake Stephen's seedling for anything like that I have even seen Stephen's thumbnails live and they are quite different, I promise

[Maggi Young]

Now I can rest easy........