Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia
Photo: parent species Frangula californica · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by gray tomentose twigs and white-tomentose leaves.
California coffeeberry is a California native shrub found in southern Klamath Ranges and northern inner Coast Ranges in chaparral and woodland habitats at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces small white flowers in clusters nestled among its dense foliage. Growing with gray, woolly twigs that form a dense, rounded shrub 1 to 2 meters tall, it develops a sturdy branching structure. Its leaves are widely elliptical, 3 to 10 centimeters long, with a soft white-woolly surface and obtuse tips, sometimes featuring subtle blunt teeth along the margin. The dense, tomentose foliage gives this shrub a distinctive silvery-gray appearance in its native habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 10 sympatric species; key features are gray tomentose twigs and white-tomentose leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, woodland
Elevation: < 1400 m
Bloom period
Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia blooms Feb-Apr.
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 subsp. crassifolia native to California?
Yes. Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia bloom?
Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia belong to?
Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
What habitat does Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia grow in?
Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia grows in Chaparral, woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.