Rhamnus crocea, the spiny redberry, is a species of plant in the family Rhamnaceae. It is native from California to northern Mexico. As of March 2024[update], five subspecies are recognized.[1]
| Rhamnus crocea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rhamnaceae |
| Genus: | Rhamnus |
| Species: | R. crocea
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhamnus crocea | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
editThis evergreen shrub, Rhamnus crocea, is typically one to two meters in height.[2] R. crocea typically occurs in chaparral, with common flora associates being toyon and hollyleaf cherry.[3]
Taxonomy
editAs of March 2024[update], Plants of the World Online accepted five subspecies:[1]
- Rhamnus crocea subsp. crocea
- Rhamnus crocea subsp. ilicifolia (Kellogg) C.B.Wolf, syn. Rhamnus ilicifolia[4]
- Rhamnus crocea subsp. insula (Kellogg) C.B.Wolf, syn. Rhamnus insula Kellogg[5]
- Rhamnus crocea subsp. pilosa (Trel. ex Curran) C.B.Wolf, syn. Rhamnus pilosa (Trel. ex Curran) Abrams[6]
- Rhamnus crocea subsp. pirifolia (Greene) C.B.Wolf, syn. Rhamnus pirifolia Greene[7]
Distribution
editRhamnus crocea is native to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon in the United States and to Northeastern and Northwestern Mexico and the Mexican Pacific Islands.[1] 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 Nevadas. In Arizona, it is found in the entire length of the Mogollon Rim to the western region of the White Mountains.[8]
Uses
editThe fruit of Rhamnus crocea was used as food by Native Americans in the Western United States.[9] When eaten in large quantities, the berry is reported to impart a red tint to the entire body of the consumer.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Rhamnus crocea Nutt." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ Abrams, LeRoy (1951). Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States. Vol. 3. Stanford University Press. p. 63. ISBN 0-8047-0005-2.
- ^ Hogan, C. Michael (2008). Stromberg, N. (ed.). "Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)". GlobalTwitcher. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009.
- ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. ilicifolia (Kellogg) C.B.Wolf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. insula (Kellogg) C.B.Wolf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. pilosa (Trel. ex Curran) Abrams". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. pirifolia (Greene) C.B.Wolf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
- ^ Little Jr., Elbert L. (1976). "Map 150, R. crocea". Atlas of United States Trees. Vol. 3 (Minor Western Hardwoods). US Government Printing Office. LCCN 79-653298. OCLC 4053799.
- ^ a b Saunders, Charles Francis (1934). Edible and Useful Wild Plants. Dover. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-486-23310-9. LCCN 75-46193.
External links
edit- Jepson Manual Treatment - Rhamnus crocea
- USDA Plants Profile; Rhamnus crocea
- Rhamnus crocea — UC Photos gallery
- Rhamnus crocea — Calflora Taxon Report
