Frangula rubra subsp. rubra
(c) Tim Messick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tim Messick · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Frangula rubra subsp. rubra is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by red twigs and acute leaf base and tip.
Red bark California coffeeberry is a native shrub found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains in chaparral and montane forest at elevations of 1,000 to 2,200 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small white to greenish flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with distinctive red-tinted twigs 1 to 2 meters tall, it forms a spreading, multi-stemmed shrub. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic to oblong, 2 to 6 centimeters long, with acute tips and base, appearing smooth and glossy green. The shrub is a characteristic member of California's mid-elevation woodland and chaparral communities.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species; key features are red twigs and acute leaf base and tip
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, montane forest
Elevation: 1000-2200 m
Bloom period
Frangula rubra subsp. rubra 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. rubra native to California?
Yes. Frangula rubra subsp. rubra is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Frangula rubra subsp. rubra bloom?
Frangula rubra subsp. rubra blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Frangula rubra subsp. rubra belong to?
Frangula rubra subsp. rubra is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Frangula.
What habitat does Frangula rubra subsp. rubra grow in?
Frangula rubra subsp. rubra grows in Chaparral, montane forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Frangula rubra subsp. yosemitana
- Frangula sp. — Coffee berry
- Frangula californica — California coffee berry
- Frangula californica subsp. californica
- Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia
- Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata
- Pseudoziziphus parryi var. parryi — Parry's jujube
- Rhamnaceae sp. — Buckthorn family
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.