Native Plants
Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Frangula californica
Frangula californica (Eschsch.) A. Gray
California Buckthorn, California Coffeeberry
Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: FRCA12
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I)
The California Coffeeberry is a member of the buckthorn family (family Rhamnaceae) which includes shrubs, woody vines, and small to large trees, rarely herbs, often spiny. About 700 species worldwide; 15 native and 3 naturalized tree, about 50 shrub, and 1 woody vine species in North America.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Tree
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 18 feet tall, often shorter.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , HI , NM , NV , ORValue to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Frangula californica in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Frangula californica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Frangula californica
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-18Research By: TWC Staff