PhotographsMy photos:This plant was found in Caspers Wilderness Park in Orange County, California Click on the thumbnail below to see a photo of the entire plant, foreground.
More photos:LasPilitas
shows the berries. |
click photo to enlarge |
this spreading evergreen will grow to heights of 6 feet. It’s form is of a rigid, much- branched shrub. It blooms in March and April with inconspicuous, greenish flowers (which lack petals). It later produces soft red berries (actually a drupe). It’s leaves are holly-like and very small. It's stem is a burnt red color. It is capable of growing in shade, part shade, or full sun. It is a good plant for a foundation planting or an informal hedge. It tolerates trimming very well and can be kept as a low clipped hedge. It can be allowed grow into a small shrub or tree. In the late summer, the female plant is covered with bright red berries; hence, a male plant is required in the garden for the showy berries to develop. It grows best in a coarse, well-drained soil and during the summer, it needs little or no water. This plant is grown for it’s form and foliage, occasionally for show of it’s berry-like fruit. Near the ocean, it will tend to be broad and spreading; in woodlands or hills, it will be taller. If planted inland from it’s native range, it will grow best with some shade. This subspecies is less drought tolerant than ssp. ilicifolia. The berries will stain sidewalks and patios.
Propagate by seeds.
This plant is a dominant shrub to the Chaparral plant community growing mostly in dry washes and canyons below 3000 feet.
The berries were used for food. An infusion of the bark was used as a cathartic. One would think the berry would be used as a dye but I found no reference to it.
Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers
Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho
Santa Ana Torrey Pines
Last update 04/05/07
Copyright © Jeanne Lepowsky 2004
