Rhamnus ilicifolia
Hollyleaf redberry, Hollyleaf Redberry
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Rhamnus ilicifolia (Hollyleaf redberry) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by larger size, variable round to oval leaves, and upright growth form.
Hollyleaf redberry is a California native shrub found in the California Floristic Province and desert mountains in chaparral, desert scrub, and montane forest at elevations up to 1,150 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces small, subtle flowers in clusters of up to 6 blooms. Growing to 4 meters tall with stiff, ascending branches and smooth gray bark, it forms a dense and structured shrub. Its evergreen leaves are thick and leathery, 2 to 4 centimeters long, ovate to round with prominent veins and margins that range from entire to irregularly toothed or prickly. The fruit is a distinctive red berry 4 to 8 millimeters long, containing two stones.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; distinguished by larger size, variable round to oval leaves, and upright growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Chaparral, desert scrub, montane forest
Elevation: < 1150 m
California counties: San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Tulare, Monterey, Mariposa, Butte, Lake, Shasta, El Dorado, Siskiyou, Yuba, Orange, Alameda, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Calaveras, Santa Clara, Mendocino, Amador, Imperial, Trinity, Contra Costa, San Benito, Sacramento, Sonoma, Madera, Nevada, Stanislaus, Yolo, Tehama, Sutter, Humboldt, Napa, Placer, Solano, Tuolumne, Colusa, San Mateo, San Francisco
Outside California: southern Oregon, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Rhamnus ilicifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Ceanothus: Rhamnus has tiny inconspicuous flowers; Ceanothus has showy white or blue flower clusters.; vs Quercus: Rhamnus has thin leaves and berry fruits; Quercus has thick leaves and acorns.; vs Prunus: Rhamnus fruits have 2-4 stones inside; Prunus has single large stone (pit).; vs Rhus: Rhamnus has simple leaves and scaly buds; Rhus has compound leaves and hairy fruits.; vs Frangula: Rhamnus buds have protective scales; Frangula buds are completely naked.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhamnus ilicifolia native to California?
Yes. Rhamnus ilicifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rhamnus ilicifolia bloom?
Rhamnus ilicifolia blooms Mar-Jun.
Where in California does Rhamnus ilicifolia grow?
Rhamnus ilicifolia occurs in San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, San Diego, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of < 1150 m.
What plant family does Rhamnus ilicifolia belong to?
Rhamnus ilicifolia is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Rhamnus.
What habitat does Rhamnus ilicifolia grow in?
Rhamnus ilicifolia grows in Chaparral, desert scrub, 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.