Rhamnus pilosa
Hairyleaf redberry
(c) Jason Schock, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Rhamnus pilosa (Hairyleaf redberry) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by densely hairy twigs and leaves, limited to southern California.
Hairyleaf redberry is a California native shrub found in southern California's San Diego County in chaparral habitats at elevations of 75 to 1,650 meters. Flowering from January to March, this plant produces small greenish-white flowers in clusters of 1 to 6 blooms. Growing less than 2 meters tall with flexible, ascending branches densely covered in soft hair, the shrub has a distinctive gray bark and compact form. Its evergreen leaves are thick and soft-hairy, measuring 15 to 20 millimeters long, with ovate to rounded blades that have finely toothed margins. The fruit is a small red two-stoned drupe approximately 6 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by densely hairy twigs and leaves, limited to southern California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Chaparral
Elevation: 75-1650 m
California counties: San Diego, Riverside
Bloom period
Rhamnus pilosa blooms Jan-Mar.
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 pilosa native to California?
Yes. Rhamnus pilosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rhamnus pilosa bloom?
Rhamnus pilosa blooms Jan-Mar.
Where in California does Rhamnus pilosa grow?
Rhamnus pilosa occurs in San Diego, Riverside, at elevations of 75-1650 m.
What plant family does Rhamnus pilosa belong to?
Rhamnus pilosa is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Rhamnus.
What habitat does Rhamnus pilosa grow in?
Rhamnus pilosa grows in Uncommon. Chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.