
''Rhamnus crocea'', the spiny redberry, is a species of plant in the family
Rhamnaceae
The Rhamnaceae are a large family of flowering plants, mostly trees, shrubs, and some vines, commonly called the buckthorn family. Rhamnaceae is included in the order Rosales.
The family contains about 55 genera and 950 species. The Rhamnaceae ...
. There are two subspecies: ''Rhamnus crocea'' subsp. ''crocea'' (redberry
buckthorn) and ''Rhamnus crocea'' subsp. ''pilosa'' (hollyleaf buckthorn). It is native to
California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...
,
Arizona
Arizona ( ; nv, Hoozdo Hahoodzo ; ood, Alĭ ṣonak ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States. It is the list of U.S. states and territories by area, 6th largest and the list of U.S. states and territories by population, 14 ...
, and
Baja California
Baja California (; 'Lower California'), officially the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California ( es, Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California), is a state in Mexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 32 federal entities of Mex ...
.
Description
This evergreen shrub, ''Rhamnus crocea'', is typically one to two meters in height. ''R. crocea'' typically occurs in
chaparral
Chaparral ( ) is a shrubland plant community and geographical feature found primarily in the U.S. state of California, in southern Oregon, and in the northern portion of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. It is shaped by a Mediterrane ...
, with common flora associates being
toyon
''Heteromeles arbutifolia'' (; more commonly by Californian botanists), commonly known as toyon, is a common Perennial plant, perennial shrub native to extreme southwest Oregon, California, and the Baja California Peninsula. It is the sole speci ...
and
hollyleaf cherry
''Prunus ilicifolia'' (Common names: hollyleaf cherry, evergreen cherry;Fire Effects Information Service, USDA Forest Service/ref> ''islay'' - Salinan Native American) is native to the chaparral areas of coastal California (from Mendocino County ...
.
Distribution
''Rhamnus crocea'' covers two major mountain foothills. In California, it surrounds the entire
San Joaquin Valley
The San Joaquin Valley ( ; es, Valle de San Joaquín) is the area of the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California that lies south of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and is drained by the San Joaquin River. It comprises seven ...
, the pacific coast ranges and the western foothills of the
Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada () is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primari ...
s. In Arizona, it is found in the entire length of the
Mogollon Rim
The Mogollon Rim ( or or ) is a topographical and geological feature cutting across the northern half of the U.S. state of Arizona. It extends approximately , starting in northern Yavapai County and running eastward, ending near the borde ...
to the western region of the
White Mountains.
Uses
The fruit of ''Rhamnus crocea'' was used as food by Native Americans in the Western United States.
When eaten in large quantities, the berry is reported to impart a red tint to the entire body of the consumer.
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment - ''Rhamnus crocea''USDA Plants Profile; Rhamnus crocea''Rhamnus crocea'' — UC Photos gallery''Rhamnus crocea'' — Calflora Taxon Report
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7320176
crocea
Flora of California
Flora of Baja California
Flora of Arizona
Flora of the Sierra Nevada (United States)
Natural history of the California chaparral and woodlands
Natural history of the California Coast Ranges
Natural history of the Peninsular Ranges
Natural history of the San Francisco Bay Area
Natural history of the Santa Monica Mountains
Natural history of the Transverse Ranges
Plants used in Native American cuisine
Garden plants of North America
Bird food plants
Drought-tolerant plants
Flora without expected TNC conservation status