Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Frangula californica (Eschscholtz) A. Gray subsp. ursina (Greene) Kartesz & Gandhi
(California Buckthorn)

Family: Rhamnaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Rhamnus tomentella Bentham subsp. ursina (Greene) J.O. Sawyer
Rhamnus californica Eschscholtz subsp. ursina (Greene) C.B. Wolf
Rhamnus ursina Greene

Frangula californica subsp. ursina is a shrub similar to Rhamnus betulifolia, but the leaves are evergreen rather than deciduous as with Rhamnus betulifolia. Frangula californica subsp. ursina can be found in canyons and along streambeds, sometimes occurring in the same location as Rhamnus betulifolia. The leaves of RFrangula californica subsp. ursina are not as broad, more revolute, more densely tomentose underneath, and thicker.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Frangula californica subsp. ursina, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., C Bar Ranch Road, December 20, 2008



Frangula californica subsp. ursina, detail of leaf (note that it is evergreen-- photo is taken in late December), photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., C Bar Ranch Road, December 20, 2008



Frangula californica subsp. ursina, field macro of abaxial (lower) leaf surface with dense pubescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Lichty Center, November 18, 2009



Frangula californica subsp. ursina, closeup of bark, photo Russ Kleinman & Karen Blisard, Lichty Center, November 18, 2009



Frangula californica subsp. ursina, with ripe berries, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Bill Evans Lake, Nov. 17, 2007


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