Paxistima sp.
Family: Celastraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Paxistima sp. is a native California shrub in the Celastraceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Vaccinium: Paxistima has opposite leaves and 4-parted brown flowers; Vaccinium has alternate leaves and bell-shaped white/pink flowers.; vs Buxus: Paxistima has 4-parted reddish flowers; Buxus has tiny greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.; vs Maytenus: Paxistima flowers have 4 parts; Maytenus flowers have 5 parts and larger leaves.; vs Mortonia: Paxistima is evergreen with 4-parted flowers; Mortonia is drought-deciduous with 5-parted white flowers.; vs Euonymus: Paxistima is low (under 3 feet) with tiny leaves and 4-parted flowers; Euonymus is tall with large leaves and 5-parted flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Paxistima sp. native to California?
Yes. Paxistima sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Paxistima sp. belong to?
Paxistima sp. is in the Celastraceae family, genus Paxistima.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.