Frangula californica
California coffee berry
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Frangula californica (California coffee berry) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by Evergreen leathery leaves; shrub <5 m; broadest range incl. SW & desert mountains.
California coffee berry is a native shrub found throughout coastal and northern California in diverse habitats including chaparral, oak woodlands, and mixed evergreen forests from near sea level to 1,500 meters elevation. Flowering from April to June, this plant produces small white to greenish-white flowers in compact clusters of 5 to 60 blossoms. Growing to heights of 1 to 5 meters with distinctive bark ranging from bright gray to reddish-brown, the shrub features spreading branches with brown or gray twigs. Its leathery, elliptic to ovate leaves are generally evergreen, measuring 20 to 100 millimeters long with prominent veins and edges that may be slightly rolled under. The fruit develops as a glossy black drupe approximately 10 to 15 millimeters long, typically containing two stones.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Evergreen leathery leaves; shrub <5 m; broadest range incl. SW & desert mountains
Habitat and range
California counties: Mendocino, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Shasta, Yuba, San Francisco, Trinity, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Del Norte, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Orange, Placer, Monterey, Santa Clara, Riverside, Mariposa, Colusa, Lake, Sonoma, Yolo, Solano, Marin, Napa, El Dorado, Plumas, Inyo, Amador, Sutter, Santa Cruz, Ventura
How to tell it apart
vs Heteromeles: Frangula has simple leaves and naked buds; Heteromeles has toothed leaves and scaly buds.; vs Prunus: Frangula berries turn from red to black; Prunus fruits are uniform colored when ripe.; vs Rhamnus: Frangula buds are naked (no scales); Rhamnus buds have protective scales.; vs Quercus: Frangula has opposite or alternate smooth leaves; Quercus has spiral lobed or toothed leaves.; vs Umbellularia: Frangula leaves lack strong aroma; Umbellularia leaves smell strongly spicy when crushed.
Frequently asked questions
Is Frangula californica native to California?
Yes. Frangula californica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Frangula californica grow?
Frangula californica occurs in Mendocino, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Tulare, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Alameda and other counties.
What plant family does Frangula californica belong to?
Frangula californica is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
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.