Rhamnus rubra

Habit: spreading or rounded, medium sized shrub with red to gray bark and twigs. Grayish green deciduous leaves are elliptic with distinctly indented veins. Leaf margins are smooth or finely toothed. Inflorescence is an umbel of up to 6-15 small green-white flowers with five pointed sepals opening into a star like shape and five smaller, greenish petals. Fruit is a small black drupe containing two seeds. Blooms early spring to mid summer with bright yellow autumn color.

Ecology: found growing on moist rocky slopes and streamside in chaparral and montane forests at elevations between 3200-7200 ft (1000-2200 m).

Growing Conditions: full sun, in moist to dry, well-drained soil.