Rhamnus crocea


Rhamnus crocea, the spiny redberry, is a species of plant in the family Rhamnaceae. It is native from California to northern Mexico., five subspecies are recognized.

Description

This evergreen shrub is typically in height. The leaves are long. The flowers have four yellow-green sepals and no petals. The fruit is a red berry containing two nutlets.

Taxonomy

, Plants of [the World Online] accepted five subspecies:
Rhamnus crocea is native to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon in the United States and to Northeastern and Northwestern Mexico and the Mexican Pacific Islands. It covers two major mountain foothills. In California, it surrounds the entire San Joaquin Valley, the pacific coast ranges and the western foothills of the Sierra [Nevada |Sierra Nevada]s. In Arizona, it is found in the entire length of the Mogollon Rim to the western region of the White Mountains.
R. crocea typically occurs in chaparral, with common flora associates being toyon and hollyleaf cherry.

Uses

The edible fruit was consumed by Native Americans in the Western United States. When eaten in large quantities, it reportedly imparts a red tint to the consumer's entire body.