Frangula californica subsp. ursina
Photo: parent species Frangula californica · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Frangula californica subsp. ursina is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by desert mountain habitat and pale green leaf undersides.
Bear Valley coffee berry is a California native shrub found in the southeastern desert mountains including Clark, New York, and Providence Mountains in desert scrub and woodland at elevations of 1,000 to 2,100 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces small green flowers with subtle white margins. Growing to less than 2 meters tall with gray, soft-textured twigs, it forms a compact and dense shrubby structure. Its elliptic to ovate leaves are 30 to 85 millimeters long, green on the upper surface and pale green underneath, with edges that can be smooth or lightly toothed. The leaves have an acute to rounded tip and vary between being completely smooth or having minimal fine hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are desert mountain habitat and pale green leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Desert scrub, woodland
Elevation: 1000-2100 m
Outside California: to Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Baja California
Bloom period
Frangula californica subsp. ursina blooms May-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. ursina native to California?
Yes. Frangula californica subsp. ursina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frangula californica subsp. ursina bloom?
Frangula californica subsp. ursina blooms May-Jul.
What plant family does Frangula californica subsp. ursina belong to?
Frangula californica subsp. ursina is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
What habitat does Frangula californica subsp. ursina grow in?
Frangula californica subsp. ursina grows in Desert scrub, 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.