Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis
Photo: parent species Frangula californica · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by serpentine habitat, 3-stoned fruit, and yellowish-green leaves.
California coffeeberry is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, and northern Sierra Nevada foothills in chaparral and woodland habitats on serpentine at elevations up to 2,300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small greenish-white flowers in compact clusters. Growing as a compact shrub less than 2 meters tall with smooth brown twigs, it forms a dense, rounded shape. Its leaves are ovate to elliptic, 20 to 80 millimeters long, with a yellow-green color, rounded base, and acute or rounded tips. The fruit develops as a three-stoned drupe, providing food for local wildlife.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key features are serpentine habitat, 3-stoned fruit, and yellowish-green leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, woodland on serpentine
Elevation: < 2300 m
California counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Mendocino, Shasta, Trinity, Lake, Napa, Monterey
Outside California: southwestern Oregon
Bloom period
Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis blooms Mar-Jun.
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. occidentalis native to California?
Yes. Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis bloom?
Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis grow?
Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis occurs in Del Norte, Siskiyou, Humboldt, Mendocino, Shasta, Trinity, Lake, Napa and other counties, at elevations of < 2300 m.
What plant family does Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis belong to?
Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
What habitat does Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis grow in?
Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis grows in Chaparral, woodland on serpentine.
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.