Adolphia californica
California adolphia, California adolphia, California adolphia
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Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Adolphia californica (California adolphia) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by Primarily Mexican genus barely reaching California, with specialized spine adaptations.
California adolphia is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native shrub found in southern coastal and Peninsular Range bioregions in coastal scrub and chaparral habitats at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from December to April, this plant produces small white flowers approximately 2 millimeters long with delicate pale petals. Growing to less than 1.5 meters tall with stout twigs and a compact form, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves are elliptic to obovate, 3 to 12 millimeters long, with wedge-shaped bases and obtuse to acute tips. The compact shrub produces fruits approximately 5 millimeters in length, contributing to its subtle landscape presence.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Primarily Mexican genus barely reaching California, with specialized spine adaptations
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: San Diego, Monterey, Los Angeles
Outside California: Mexico
Bloom period
Adolphia californica blooms Dec-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
How to tell it apart
vs Eriogonum: Adolphia has woody jointed green stems; Eriogonum has herbaceous stems without joints.; vs Ceanothus: Adolphia stems have visible joints like bamboo segments; Ceanothus stems are smooth and unjoint.; vs Acmispon: Adolphia has woody green jointed stems; Acmispon is herbaceous with compound leaves.; vs Lycium: Adolphia has opposite branching with jointed stems; Lycium has alternate branching without joints.; vs Baccharis: Adolphia has jointed green stems in opposite pairs; Baccharis has smooth alternate stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adolphia californica native to California?
Yes. Adolphia californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Adolphia californica bloom?
Adolphia californica blooms Dec-Apr.
Where in California does Adolphia californica grow?
Adolphia californica occurs in San Diego, Monterey, Los Angeles, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Adolphia californica belong to?
Adolphia californica is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Adolphia.
Is Adolphia californica rare or endangered?
Adolphia californica carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.