Adenostoma sparsifolium
Red shank, ribbon wood, Ribbon Wood
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Adenostoma sparsifolium (Red shank) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by red bark, scattered leaves, and larger size.
Red shank is a California native shrub found in southern Coastal Ranges, eastern Southern California, southern Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges in dry slopes, flats, and ravines within chaparral and pinyon woodland at elevations of 275 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to September, this shrub produces white flowers in open clusters with delicate translucent bracts. Growing 2 to 6 meters tall with distinctive red-brown trunk bark and glabrous twigs, it forms an elegant woodland presence. Its leaves are linear, flexible, and short-erect-hairy, measuring 3.6 to 26.3 millimeters long with subtle glandular surfaces. The fruit is elliptic with a rounded tip, slightly extending beyond the flower's hypanthium.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are red bark, scattered leaves, and larger size
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, flats, ravines, chaparral, pinyon woodland
Elevation: 275-2000 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Imperial
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Adenostoma sparsifolium blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Adenostoma has bundled needle-like leaves and rose family flowers; buckwheats have broader leaves and ball-like flower heads.; vs Baccharis: Adenostoma has bundled linear leaves; Baccharis has wider single leaves and yellow to white brush-like flower heads.; vs Ceanothus: Adenostoma has tiny bundled needles; Ceanothus has broader single leaves and blue to white dense flower clusters.; vs Artemisia: Adenostoma has bundled needles and white flower panicles; sagebrush has feathery gray foliage and yellow flower heads.; vs Ericameria: Adenostoma has white flowers and bundled needles; goldenbush has yellow flowers and non-bundled narrow leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adenostoma sparsifolium native to California?
Yes. Adenostoma sparsifolium is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Adenostoma sparsifolium bloom?
Adenostoma sparsifolium blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Adenostoma sparsifolium grow?
Adenostoma sparsifolium occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Imperial, at elevations of 275-2000 m.
What plant family does Adenostoma sparsifolium belong to?
Adenostoma sparsifolium is in the Rosaceae family, genus Adenostoma.
What habitat does Adenostoma sparsifolium grow in?
Adenostoma sparsifolium grows in dry slopes, flats, ravines, chaparral, pinyon woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Adenostoma fasciculatum — Chamise
- Adenostoma fasciculatum var. fasciculatum — Chamise
- Adenostoma fasciculatum var. obtusifolium — San diego chamise
- Adenostoma fasciculatum var. prostratum — Prostrate chamise
- Adenostoma sp.
- Agrimonia gryposepala — Common agrimony
- Agrimonia sp. — Agrimony
- Agrimonia striata — Britton's agrimony
- Amelanchier alnifolia — Saskatoon serviceberry
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.