Tetracoccus dioicus
Parry's tetracoccus
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Picrodendraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Tetracoccus dioicus (Parry's tetracoccus) is a native California shrub in the Picrodendraceae family, recognized by . Found in SCo/PR bioregions with distinctive linear to narrow-oblanceolate leaves.
Parry's tetracoccus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern San Diego County and western Peninsular Ranges on dry chaparral slopes at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small, delicate flowers with distinctive staminate and pistillate structures on separate plants. Growing with slender stems that are sparsely fine-tomentose near branch axils and becoming glabrous with age, the shrub reaches moderate height with an open, sparse structure. Its leaves are generally opposite or arranged in whorls of three, with narrow linear to oblanceolate blades 10 to 30 millimeters long, sometimes with slightly inrolled margins and rounded to acute tips. The fruit is roughly 6 millimeters long and 7 to 9 millimeters wide, covered in sparse fine tomentum.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species. Found in SCo/PR bioregions with distinctive linear to narrow-oblanceolate leaves.
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, chaparral
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: San Diego, Orange, Riverside
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Tetracoccus dioicus blooms Apr-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Prunus: Tetracoccus has no petals and tiny leaves under 12mm; Prunus has showy 5-petaled flowers and larger leaves.; vs Eriogonum: Tetracoccus has whorled leaves and 3-4 lobed fruits; Eriogonum has alternate/basal leaves and 3-angled fruits.; vs Cneoridium: Tetracoccus flowers lack petals entirely; Cneoridium has 4 white petals.; vs Lycium: Tetracoccus has no petals and dry splitting capsules; Lycium has tubular flowers and fleshy berries.; vs Acer: Tetracoccus has tiny leaves under 12mm; Acer has large hand-shaped lobed leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tetracoccus dioicus native to California?
Yes. Tetracoccus dioicus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tetracoccus dioicus bloom?
Tetracoccus dioicus blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Tetracoccus dioicus grow?
Tetracoccus dioicus occurs in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Tetracoccus dioicus belong to?
Tetracoccus dioicus is in the Picrodendraceae family, genus Tetracoccus.
Is Tetracoccus dioicus rare or endangered?
Tetracoccus dioicus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S2.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.