Hairyleaf redberry Hairyleaf redberry

Rhamnus crocea Nuttall var. pilosa Trelease ex Curran, Proc. Calif. Acad. Sci., ser. 2, 1: 251. 1888; R. crocea subsp. pilosa (Trelease ex Curran) C. B. Wolf

Shrubs, 1–3 m, unarmed. Branchlets gray, flexible, sparsely to densely softly hirtellous. Leaves persistent, alternate; petiole 2–5 mm; blade dull green abaxially, darker green adaxially, ovate to broadly oblong or orbiculate, 1.5–2 cm, distinctly coriaceous, base cuneate to nearly truncate, margins spinulose, apex rounded, both surfaces sparsely to densely softly hirtellous; secondary veins 5–7 pairs, all diverging at nearly same angle. Inflorescences fascicles or flowers solitary. Pedicels 2–4 mm. Sepals 4. Petals usually 0, rarely 4. Drupes red, globose, 5–6 mm; stones 2.

Flowering Apr–Jun. Granitic substrates, clay soils, sandstone, woodlands, chaparral, coastal sage scrub; 100–1700 m; Calif.

Rhamnus pilosa is known only from San Diego County and extreme southwestern Riverside County. The species has been reported from Arizona and Mexico (Baja California) (USDA Plants Database, based on L. Abrams and R. S. Ferris 1923–1960, vol. 2), but no specimens have been found to support this claim.