Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii
Catalina cherry, Catalina Cherry
(c) Joe Decruyenaere, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii (Catalina cherry) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rosaceae family, recognized by key distinguishing features from subsp. ilicifolia are entire (non-spiny) flat leaf margins and larger blue-black fruits.
Catalina cherry is a California native shrub found in the Channel Islands in canyons, chaparral, and woodland at elevations below 600 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces white flowers in small clusters characteristic of cherry species. Growing 4 to 15 meters tall with multiple stems and a dense, rounded form, it develops a robust and substantial presence in its native habitat. Its leaves are generally ovate with entire margins, 8 to 25 millimeters long, featuring acute to acuminate tips that provide a distinctive shape. The fruit develops as blue-black drupes approximately 15 to 25 millimeters long, adding visual interest to the shrub's appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key distinguishing features from subsp. ilicifolia are entire (non-spiny) flat leaf margins and larger blue-black fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Canyons, chaparral, woodland
Elevation: < 600 m
Outside California: Baja California (mainland)
Bloom period
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii blooms Mar-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Prunus has simple leaves with fine teeth; oak leaves are lobed or have coarse rounded teeth.; vs Rhamnus: Prunus has fleshy fruits with single hard pits; buckthorn has berry-like fruits with multiple seeds.; vs Malus: Prunus fruits have a single hard pit; apple fruits have a papery core with multiple seeds.; vs Frangula: Prunus has cup-shaped flower base that falls off; alder buckthorn has persistent berry-like fruit base.; vs Pyrus: Prunus produces single-pitted drupes; pear produces pome fruits with papery seed chambers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii native to California?
Yes. Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii bloom?
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii belong to?
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii is in the Rosaceae family, genus Prunus.
What habitat does Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii grow in?
Prunus ilicifolia subsp. lyonii grows in Canyons, chaparral, 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.