Frangula californica

Last updated

California coffeeberry
CoffeeBerryFruit.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Frangula
Species:
F. californica
Binomial name
Frangula californica
(Eschsch.) A.Gray [3] [4] [5]
Synonyms

Rhamnus californicaEschsch.

Frangula californica (previously classified as Rhamnus californica) is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family native to western North America. [3] [4] [5] It produces edible fruits and seeds. [6] It is commonly known as California coffeeberry and California buckthorn.

Contents

Distribution

It is native to California, the Southwestern United States, and Baja California state in Mexico. [4] It is an introduced species in Hawaii. [2]

The plant occurs in oak woodland and chaparral habitats, numerous others in its range. [7] Individual plants can live an estimated 100 to 200 years. [8]

Description

Frangula californica is a shrub 0.9–3.7 metres (3–12 ft) tall. [7] It is variable in form across subspecies. In favorable conditions the plant can develop into a small tree over 3.7 metres (12 ft) tall. [3] More commonly it is a shrub between 0.9–1.8 metres (3–6 ft) tall. [3]

The branches may have a reddish tinge and the new twigs are often red in color. The alternately arranged evergreen leaves are dark green above and paler on the undersides. The leaves have thin blades in moist habitat, and smaller, thicker blades in dry areas.

Inflorescence and fruit

The 1/8" greenish flowers occur in clusters in the leaf axils, have 5 sepals, and 5 shorter petals. [7] It blooms in May and June. [7] The fruit is a juicy drupe which may be green, red, or black. It is just under a centimeter long and contains two seeds that resemble coffee beans.

Frangula californica subsp. californica in flower Rhamnus californica californicaIMG 6024.jpg
Frangula californica subsp. californica in flower
Ripening fruit Rhamnus californica fruit.jpg
Ripening fruit

Subspecies

Subspecies of Frangula californica include: [8] [9]

Ecology

This shrub is a member of many plant communities and grows in many types of habitat, including California chaparral and woodlands, coastal sage scrub, and California oak woodlands. It grows in forest types such as foggy coastal oak woodlands, Coast redwood forests, California mixed evergreen forests, and mountain coniferous forests. [9]

It can be found alongside chaparral whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis), toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia), skunkbush (Rhus trilobata), redberry (Rhamnus crocea), and western poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum). In brushy mountain habitat it grows among many species of manzanita. [8]

The plant reproduces sexually by seed and vegetatively by sprouting. After wildfire or cutting, the plant generally resprouts from its root crown. Reproduction via seed is most common in mature stands of the plant. It produces seeds by 2 or 3 years of age. Seeds are mature in the fall. Seed dispersal is often performed by birds, which are attracted to the fruit; some plants are so stripped of fruit by birds that hardly any seeds fall below the parent plant. [8]

This long-lived plant is persistent and becomes a dominant species in many habitat types, such as coastal woodlands. In the absence of wildfire, the shrub can grow large, with a wide spread that can shade out other flora. When fire occurs, the plant can be very damaged but it readily resprouts from the surviving root crown, which is covered in buds for the purpose. It reaches its pre-burn size relatively quickly. [8]

Parts of the plant, including the foliage and fruit, are food for wild animals such as mule deer, black bears, and many resident and migrating birds, as well as livestock. [8]

Two insects induce galls on California coffeeberry: a moth, Sorhagenia nimbosa , induces swelling along the leaf midrib, and a midge of the genus Asphondylia induces flower-bud galls. [19]

Uses

Cultivation

This plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant by plant nurseries, for planting in native plant, water conserving, and wildlife gardens; in large pots and containers; and in natural landscaping and habitat restoration projects. [20] [21] [22] [23]

It is also used for erosion control, and is usually deer resistant. [8] [21] As a pollinator plant it is of special value to native butterflies and bees. [20] [24]

Cultivars

Cultivars of the species, for use as an ornamental plant, include: [25]

  • Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Eve Case' — Eve Case coffeeberry; smaller and more compact (3-6' H x 3-4' W), with denser foliage and larger berries than other species. [22] [26] Introduced by the Saratoga Horticultural Foundation in 1975. [27]
  • Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Leatherleaf' — Leatherleaf coffeeberry; with black-green foliage. [28]
  • Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Mount San Bruno' — smaller leaves, more dense and compact, particularly tolerant of garden conditions. [22] [29]
  • Frangula (Rhamnus) californica ‘Seaview’ — a ground cover variety. [22]
Closeup of flower. Rhamnus californica ssp californica.jpg
Closeup of flower.

Food and medicine

The berries are sometimes eaten, and the seeds inside have been used to make coffee substitute with limited success. The berries are edible according to the USDA. [30] However, the bark of cascara, another member of the genus Frangula, is toxic. [31]

Native Americans of the west coast of North America had several uses for the plant as food, and used parts of it as a traditional medicinal plant. [8] Several tribes of the indigenous peoples of California ate the fruit fresh or dried. [32]

The Ohlone people use the leaves to treat poison oak dermatitis. [32] The Kumeyaay people had similar uses for its bark. [32] The Kawaiisu used the fruit to treat wounds such as burns. [32] The bark has been widely used as a laxative by the indigenous peoples. [32]

Names for the plant in the Konkow language of the Concow tribe include pä and pö. [33]

Related Research Articles

<i>Frangula</i> Genus of flowering plants in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae

Frangula is a genus of about 35 species of flowering shrubs or small trees, commonly known as alder buckthorn in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae. The common name buckthorn is also used to describe species of the genus Rhamnus in the same family and also sea-buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides in the Elaeagnaceae.

<i>Fremontodendron californicum</i> Species of shrub

Fremontodendron californicum, with the common names California flannelbush, California fremontia, and flannel bush, is a flowering shrub native to diverse habitats in southwestern North America.

<i>Prunus ilicifolia</i> Species of tree

Prunus ilicifolia is native to the chaparral areas of coastal California, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. as well as the desert chaparral areas of the Mojave desert.

<i>Solanum xanti</i> Species of plant

Solanum xanti, known commonly as chaparral nightshade, purple nightshade, and San Diego nightshade, is a member of the genus Solanum. It is native to the Western United States in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon, and to northwest Mexico in Baja California.

<i>Amorpha californica</i> Species of flowering plant

Amorpha californica is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name California false indigo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coffee berry</span> Index of plants with the same common name

Coffee berry may refer to:

<i>Rhamnus cathartica</i> Species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae

Rhamnus cathartica, the European buckthorn, common buckthorn, purging buckthorn, or just buckthorn, is a species of small tree in the flowering plant family Rhamnaceae. It is native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia, from the central British Isles south to Morocco, and east to Kyrgyzstan. It was introduced to North America as an ornamental shrub in the early 19th century or perhaps before, and is now naturalized in the northern half of the continent, and is classified as an invasive plant in several US states and in Ontario, Canada.

<i>Frangula alnus</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae

Frangula alnus, commonly known as alder buckthorn, glossy buckthorn, or breaking buckthorn, is a tall deciduous shrub in the family Rhamnaceae. Unlike other "buckthorns", alder buckthorn does not have thorns. It is native to Europe, northernmost Africa, and western Asia, from Ireland and Great Britain north to the 68th parallel in Scandinavia, east to central Siberia and Xinjiang in western China, and south to northern Morocco, Turkey, and the Alborz in Iran and the Caucasus Mountains; in the northwest of its range, it is rare and scattered. It is also introduced and naturalised in eastern North America.

<i>Ephedra californica</i> Species of seed-bearing shrub

Ephedra californica is a species of Ephedra, known by the common names California jointfir, California ephedra, desert tea, Mormon tea, and cañatillo.

<i>Sambucus racemosa</i> Species of plant

Sambucus racemosa is a species of elderberry known by the common names red elderberry and red-berried elder.

<i>Brickellia californica</i> Species of flowering plant

Brickellia californica, known by the common name California brickellbush, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae.

<i>Orobanche californica</i> Species of flowering plant

Orobanche californica, known by the common name California broomrape, is a species of broomrape. It is a parasitic plant growing attached to the roots of other plants, usually members of the Asteraceae.

<i>Rhamnus alnifolia</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Rhamnaceae

Rhamnus alnifolia is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by the common names alderleaf buckthorn, or alder buckthorn. Unlike other "buckthorns", this alder buckthorn does not have thorns. It is native to North America, where it is known mainly from the southern half of Canada and the northern half of the United States and California. It can be found in forested habitat.

<i>Rhamnus crocea <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> ilicifolia</i> Species of plant

Rhamnus crocea subsp. ilicifolia, synonym Rhamnus ilicifolia, is a subspecies of flowering plant in the buckthorn family, known by the common name hollyleaf redberry. It is native to western North America, where it is a common plant growing in many types of habitat, including chaparral and wooded areas, from Oregon through California, to Baja California and Arizona.

Rhamnus crocea subsp. pirifolia, synonym Rhamnus pirifolia, is a subspecies of tree and shrub in the buckthorn family known by the common name island redberry. It is an island endemic which is known only from the Channel Islands of California and Guadalupe Island off Baja California. Its habitat consists of coastal sage scrub and chaparral.

<i>Frangula rubra</i> Species of flowering plant

Frangula rubra is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by the common names red buckthorn and Sierra coffeeberry.

<i>Solidago californica</i> Species of flowering plant

Solidago californica is a species of goldenrod known by the common name California goldenrod.

<i>Rhamnus alaternus</i> Species of flowering plant

Rhamnus alaternus is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae, known by the common names Italian buckthorn or Mediterranean buckthorn. It is a hardy medium-sized evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers.

References

  1. ↑ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). (2020). "Frangula californica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T126609466A156820870. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T126609466A156820870.en . Retrieved 1 May 2024.
  2. 1 2 Frangula californica. NatureServe. 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Jepson (TJM2): Frangula californica . accessed 4.5.2015
  4. 1 2 3 "Frangula californica". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  5. 1 2 USDA: Frangula californica . accessed 4.5.2015
  6. ↑ http://honest-food.net/2014/08/13/california-coffeeberry-edible/. Accessed 15.6.2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, revised 2000, p. 168
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 McMurray, N. E. 1990. Rhamnus californica. In: Fire Effects Information System. USDA FS. Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.
  9. 1 2 Calflora: Frangula californica − Subspecies and Varieties
  10. ↑ Calflora: Frangula californica subsp. californica . accessed 4.5.2015.
  11. ↑ Jepson: Frangula californica subsp. californica . accessed 4.4.2015.
  12. ↑ Jepson: Frangula californica subsp. crassifolia . accessed 4.4.2015.
  13. ↑ Calflora: Frangula californica subsp. cuspidata . accessed 4.5.2015.
  14. ↑ Calflora: Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis . accessed 4.5.2015.
  15. ↑ Jepson: Frangula californica subsp. occidentalis . accessed 4.4.2015.
  16. ↑ Calflora: Frangula californica subsp. tomentella . accessed 4.5.2015.
  17. ↑ Jepson: Frangula californica subsp. tomentella . accessed 4.4.2015.
  18. ↑ Jepson: Frangula californica subsp. ursina . accessed 4.4.2015.
  19. ↑ Russo, Ronald A. (2021). Plant Galls of the Western United States. Princeton University Press. p. 242. doi:10.1515/9780691213408. ISBN   978-0-691-21340-8. LCCN   2020949502. OCLC   1239984577. S2CID   238148746.
  20. 1 2 NPIN—Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Frangula californica (California buckthorn, California Coffeeberry)
  21. 1 2 Las Pilitas Horticulture Database: Frangula (Rhamnus) californica (Coffeeberry)
  22. 1 2 3 4 "California Native Plant Society, "Gardening with Natives" blog: Frangula californica (California Coffeeberry)". 23 June 2023. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019.
  23. ↑ Native Plants Network.org: Protocol Information for: Frangula californica
  24. ↑ "Theodore Payne Foundation: Frangula (Rhamnus) californica". Archived from the original on 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  25. ↑ California Native Plants for the Garden. Bornstein, Carol, David Fross, and Bart O'Brien. Los Olivos, CA: Cachuma Press. 2005.
  26. ↑ "Theodore Payne Foundation — California Natives Wiki: Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Eve Case'". Archived from the original on 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  27. ↑ San Marcos Growers horticulture database: Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Eve Case'
  28. ↑ San Marcos Growers horticulture database: Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Leatherleaf'
  29. ↑ San Marcos Growers horticulture database: Frangula (Rhamnus) californica 'Mound San Bruno'
  30. ↑ "Frangula californica". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  31. ↑ Arno, Stephen F.; Hammerly, Ramona P. (2020) [1977]. Northwest Trees: Identifying & understanding the region's native trees (field guide ed.). Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books. pp. 262–266. ISBN   978-1-68051-329-5. OCLC   1141235469.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 University of Michigan, Dearborn − Native American Ethnobotany: Frangula californica . accessed 23 June 2023
  33. ↑ Chesnut, V. K. (1902). Plants used by the Indians of Mendocino County, California. Government Printing Office. p. 407. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
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