Oregon Grape, Accented

Day 209: Oregon Grape, whether the low-growing variety or the tall species like this specimen, has leaves which resemble holly. The fruit, however, is purple and small, growing in loosely formed bunches. It is quite tart when eaten directly from the plant, but can be used to make a very satisfactory jelly. The bark of the plant was used by Native peoples to make a yellow dye for baskets. Both varieties (Mahonia nervosa and M. aquifolium) are common in western Washington. Now as for that hitchhiker, I didn't quite catch his name.