Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by oblong-obovate leaves with rounded base and tip.
Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima is a California native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and northern and central Sierra Nevada Mountains in chaparral and montane forest at elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from March to June, this shrub produces subtle green flowers on its branches. Growing with distinctive red to gray twigs, it forms a compact shrub. Its leaves are oblong to obovate, 25 to 60 millimeters long, green and smooth with subtle pubescence along the midrib and veins, and rounded at the base. The shrub has a compact growth habit typical of high-elevation chaparral environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key features are oblong-obovate leaves with rounded base and tip
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, montane forest
Elevation: 1000-2000 m
Bloom period
Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima 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 rubra subsp. obtusissima native to California?
Yes. Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima bloom?
Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima belong to?
Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
What habitat does Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima grow in?
Frangula rubra subsp. obtusissima grows in Chaparral, montane forest.
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.