Tetracoccus ilicifolius
Holly-leaved tetracoccus
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Picrodendraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Tetracoccus ilicifolius (Holly-leaved tetracoccus) is a native California shrub in the Picrodendraceae family, recognized by . Distinctive sharp-toothed leaves (8-20 teeth per leaf) in desert mountain habitat.
Holly-leaved tetracoccus is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in the northern Desert Mountains, specifically in the Grapevine and Panamint Mountain ranges, on dry, rocky slopes at elevations of 600 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small white to cream flowers in dense clusters with delicate, almost sessile blooms. Growing with slender, sparsely brown-tomentose twigs that become glabrous with age, it forms a compact shrub reaching moderate heights. Its leaves are generally opposite or three-whorled, with lanceolate to ovate blades 15 to 30 millimeters long, featuring 8 to 20 sharp teeth along the margins and obtuse to acute tips. The fruit is a brown-tomentose capsule approximately 8 to 9 millimeters long with distinctive tomentose texture.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated with 0 sympatric species. Distinctive sharp-toothed leaves (8-20 teeth per leaf) in desert mountain habitat.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes
Elevation: 600-1700 m
California counties: Inyo
Bloom period
Tetracoccus ilicifolius blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 ilicifolius native to California?
Yes. Tetracoccus ilicifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Tetracoccus ilicifolius bloom?
Tetracoccus ilicifolius blooms May-Jun.
Where in California does Tetracoccus ilicifolius grow?
Tetracoccus ilicifolius occurs in Inyo, at elevations of 600-1700 m.
What plant family does Tetracoccus ilicifolius belong to?
Tetracoccus ilicifolius is in the Picrodendraceae family, genus Tetracoccus.
Is Tetracoccus ilicifolius rare or endangered?
Tetracoccus ilicifolius carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, 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.