Coffeeberry is an evergreen shrub that grows in a number of plant communities from Baja California, to southwest Oregon, and into Arizona and New Mexico. It has low water requirements, and grows in full sun to shade. When healthy, it is also fire retardant. Coffeeberry grows to a height of up to eight feet. Its neat-leaved and compact branching growth habit would allow it to be used effectively as a hedge, bushy plant or shrub.
The flowers are a great source of nectar for a number of bees, butterflies, other insects and even hummingbirds. The red berries that darken to black, are eaten by birds.
Rhamnus californica is the scientific name. Rhamnus is an ancient Greek name for the buckthorn family.
The top and left pictures were taken on More Mesa, and the right on the Old Coast Road near Nojoqui Falls.
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