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Sturla, Gene

Rhamnus crocea

Rhamnus crocea Nutt.

Redberry Buckthorn, Holly-leaf Buckthorn, Redberry

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: rhcr

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A spreading, much-branched shrub from 2-12 ft. tall with small, dark gray-green leaves. The clusters of cream-colored flowers are followed by showy, red berries.

From the Image Gallery

19 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Dark Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA
Native Distribution: Coast Ranges from Lake to San Diego Cos., CA
Native Habitat: Dry washes & canyons below 3000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, well-drained soils.
Conditions Comments: Will not bear berries if under stress.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Pretty red fruit. Makes a good hedge.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Hermes Copper
(Lycaena hermes)

Larval Host

Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Description: Germination of seeds is easy. Cuttings are difficult. Seeds should be cleaned of pulp before sowing.
Seed Treatment: No pretreatment seems necessary. If seeds have been stored, dormancy can be broken with a cool-moist stratification period.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 11 - Joys of a Garden for your Birds (1972) Barrington, R.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 186 - Native Gardens for Dry Climates (1995) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 851 - Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals (1999) Robbers, J. E.; V. E. Tyler

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 36 - Jepson eFlora (2019) The Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhamnus crocea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhamnus crocea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhamnus crocea

Metadata

Record Modified: 0000-00-00
Research By: TWC Staff

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