After reading more about the plant, I reached the same conclusion. As
I've read more, there seems to be a consensus that the low
sparse-looking shrub (like I have here) and the taller shrubs are the
same plant. The small shrub reproducing via rhizomes and the taller one
using seeds, all-though not exclusively. It is considered the same
plant, just a different phase. You can read about this in the Audubon
wildflowers or shrubs field guide for the Western US.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Charles

In article ,
"Cereus-validus....." wrote:

Its not native to your area.

More likely it naturalized itself as an escape from cultivation or it grew
from seeds deposited from bird poop.


"Charles Woolever" wrote in message
...
Yes, it is growing in the woods behind my house. I assume it is wild.

Charles


In article ,
(paghat) wrote:

In article ,
Charles Woolever wrote:

http://ny.existingstations.com/Holly.jpg

It's not holly but that's what I called the photo. It's a woodland
evergreen that is low-growing, less than 18". Northeast U.S. I'm in
Western NY State. Leaves turn deep red in winter and then green up as
it
starts to warm up, hence the green coming on in the leaves close to the
leaf litter, out of the wind. If I remember correctly, it has yellow
flowers, but I may not be remembering that correctly from last year
when
I first found it. Each plant typically has just a few gently-arching
branches coming out of the ground. It tends to be clumped together in
places. Woodlands is hardwood and in shade during the summer. Area can
tend towards wet but not standing water.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

Charles

Looks like Oregon Grape to me, though I suppose other things have the
same
leaves. You're saying it grows wild in the Northeast? Mahonia repens or
Mahonia aquifolium reach the Northeast as native plants, all the other
north american species are further west or southwest.

-paghat the ratgirl