Rhamnus californica - California coffeeberry

California Coffeeberry (Rhamnus californica) is a versatile shrub known for its red to black berries and evergreen foliage. The berries are used in traditional medicine, and the plant is commonly used in landscaping for its drought tolerance and ability to attract birds and beneficial insects.

Inputs

• Full sun¹
• Semi-shade¹

Outputs

• Human food¹

Type

• Shrub
• Evergreen
• Rhamnus spp. - Buckthorn

Functions

• Drought-tolerance¹
• Attracting bees²
• Wildlife habitat²
• Soil stabilization²
• Fire resistance³

Footnotes

1. Frangula californica | Useful Temperate Plants ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. California Coffeeberry Plant Guide | USDA NRCS ↩ ↩² ↩³

3. Leaf burn times of California native plants, Las Pilitas Nursery, 2005 propane-torch ignition trial: cultivars ‘Eve Case’ and ‘Tranquil Margarita’ both >60 seconds (“will not sustain ignition”), unwatered plain form >60 seconds (“smoulder only”) ↩