Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata
Photo: parent species Frangula californica · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by mixed hair types on twigs and thin leaves with long hairs beneath.
California coffeeberry subspecies cuspidata is a California native shrub found in central Coast and Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tehachapi, Transverse Ranges, northwestern Peninsular Ranges, San Jacinto Mountains, eastern Sierra Nevada, and Mojave Desert in chaparral, desert scrub, and montane woodland at elevations of 400 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from April to July, this shrub produces small greenish-white flowers with distinctive red twigs. Growing to less than 2 meters tall with multiple stems, it features unique branching with twigs that have hairs of two different lengths. Its evergreen leaves are elliptic, 20 to 60 millimeters long, green on top, and white-tomentose underneath with conspicuous long hairs, featuring margins that are distinctly toothed or serrate. The shrub has a delicate appearance with thin, elliptical leaves that have a slightly mucronate tip.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key features are mixed hair types on twigs and thin leaves with long hairs beneath
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, desert scrub, montane woodland
Elevation: 400-2300 m
California counties: Fresno, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Tuolumne, Ventura
Bloom period
Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata blooms Apr-Jul.
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. cuspidata native to California?
Yes. Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata bloom?
Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata blooms Apr-Jul.
Where in California does Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata grow?
Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata occurs in Fresno, Kern, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of 400-2300 m.
What plant family does Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata belong to?
Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
What habitat does Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata grow in?
Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata grows in Chaparral, desert scrub, montane woodland.
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.