Rhamnaceae (buckthorn family) Frangula

Frangula californica coffeeberry

California and SW Oregon
Rhamnus californica (syn.)
Frangula californica. John Rawlings, ca. 2005

Shrub, to 5 feet tall for the cultivar ‘Eve Case’ normally planted on campus, the species can achieve the stature of a small tree, as seen at Jasper Ridge. The berries ripen in the winter and can be marble-sized, green to red to black. Once established it performs well without irrigation.

Locations: North-South Mall; Sierra Mall; Dohrmann Grove; Stauffer Chemistry; Gilbert Hall.

Frangula californica varieties californica and tomentella grow at Jasper Ridge.

Like the leaves of its relative Rhamnus alaternus, the secondary leaf veins are festooned (secondary veins form at least one row of loops or arches outside).

· Jasper Ridge’s flora and plant communities.

Illustrations: Jasper Ridge plant photo archive.

Related material: Stanford Grounds Plant Information Sheet. List No.13, p. 7.

About this Entry: John Rawlings authored the main text of this entry ca. 2005.