Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia
Summer holly, Summer Holly
(c) Cliff Hutson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ericaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia (Summer holly) is a native California shrub / tree in the Ericaceae family, recognized by differentiated by inflorescence length and geography.
Summer holly is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern California coastal and Peninsular Ranges in chaparral habitats at elevations of 100 to 550 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces white to pink flowers in distinctive clusters 3.5 to 8 centimeters long. Growing as an upright evergreen shrub 1 to 2 meters tall with reddish bark and multiple woody stems. Its leathery, dark green leaves are oval to lance-shaped, arranged alternately along the branches, and have smooth edges. The plant produces small, berry-like fruits that attract wildlife in its native chaparral ecosystem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; differentiated by inflorescence length and geography
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral
Elevation: 100-550 m
California counties: Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura
Outside California: to northern Baja California
Bloom period
Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Arbutus: Comarostaphylis is a shrub with single-stoned drupes; Arbutus is a tree with multi-seeded berries.; vs Heteromeles: Comarostaphylis has urn-shaped flowers and smooth drupes; Heteromeles has flat flower clusters and pome fruits.; vs Xylococcus: Comarostaphylis fruits are juicy drupes; Xylococcus fruits are completely dry.; vs Pittosporum: Comarostaphylis has urn-shaped flowers; Pittosporum has tubular flowers with spreading petals.; vs Arctostaphylos: Comarostaphylis fruits are juicy single-stoned drupes; Arctostaphylos fruits are dry and mealy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia native to California?
Yes. Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia bloom?
Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia grow?
Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia occurs in Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, at elevations of 100-550 m.
What plant family does Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia belong to?
Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia is in the Ericaceae family, genus Comarostaphylis.
Is Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia rare or endangered?
Comarostaphylis diversifolia subsp. diversifolia carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, 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.