Quercus dumosa is a species of plant in the Fagaceae family. This shrub/small tree goes by the common name Coastal sage scrub oak. It is found in Mexico and the United States. It is threatened by habitat loss. The species Quercus dumosa lends its name to the eponymous plant community Quercus dumosa chaparral, in which Coastal sage scrub oak and toyon often co-dominate. It is easily confused with other scrub oaks such as Quercus berberidifolia, with which it may hybridize.

This plant is an evergreen shrub growing 1 to 3 meters tall from a large, deep root network. The leaves have spiny or toothed edges. The fruit is an acorn up to 1.5 centimeters wide. Some individuals produce large crops of acorns, and some produce very few fruits. The acorns are dispersed by gravity as they fall from the tree, and by animals that pick them up, such as squirrels and jays. Animals eat them immediately or cache them for later. The acorns tend to germinate easily. Reproduction via seed generally occurs only in very moist years.

This oak grows primarily in sandy soils such as sandstone near the coast. Its habitat is often chaparral. This oak sprouts vigorously from its stump and root crown after wildfire and develops a large canopy within a few years after a fire event. It sometimes codominates with Ceanothus species as early as four years after a fire. This oak also does well in the absence of fire.

Leather oak (Quercus durata) is a small, drought-adapted oak species endemic to California. This shrub oak, in the Fagaceae (beech) family, typically grows in serpentine soils and is often found with manzanita in chaparral habitats. It thrives in mountainous regions but is well-suited for gardens as it doesn't require serpentine soil and can tolerate a variety of garden soils, including those with clay. Best adapted to dry, rocky, and nutrient-poor soils, leather oak can form low, dense thickets and is often used as an urban tree.

A keystone plant in its native ecosystem, leather oak supports a diverse range of wildlife species.

Quercus durata var. durata is the most common variety of Leather Oak. It tends to grow at elevations from 500-4900 feet, primarily in the central Coast Ranges. The other variety, var. gabrielensis, is a rare plant restricted to the Transverse Range. Leather oak is often found on serpentine soils. However, in the garden this plant does not require serpentine soil and can tolerate garden soil as well as drought and clay-rich soils. However, it is best adapted to relatively dry, rocky, nutrient-poor soil. Most individuals remain short, under 15 feet, and have small, densely organized leaves.

Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii) is a moderately fast-growing tree, typically evergreen but sometimes drought-deciduous in hot summers. Native to Southern California, this rare oak has lost much of its range due to suburban development. It primarily survives in San Diego County, with smaller populations in Pasadena, Orange County, southern Riverside County, and Baja California.

This oak thrives above the dry coastal plain but below 4,200 feet, where winters can be colder. Its thick, leathery blue-green leaves provide year-round color and complement gray-green landscapes. Mature trees develop stunning, gnarled trunks and wide-spreading branches, making them a striking addition to open spaces.

Engelmann oak can be tricky to grow—it prefers dry soil but stays green year-round if it has access to groundwater or nearby irrigation. It requires plenty of space, full sun, and tolerates various soil types.

As a keystone species, Engelmann oak supports an extensive array of butterflies and birds, playing a vital role in Southern California ecosystems. It pairs well with native plants like ceanothus, coffeeberry, and silktassel.

The Garry Oak (Quercus garryana), also known as Oregon White Oak or Oregon Oak, is a member of the Fagaceae family (Beeches, Chestnuts and Oaks). 

It has a range from the mountains of Los Angeles County northward to British Columbia, Canada, particularly in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Klamath Mountains, the Coast Ranges of Northern California, and of the west slope of the Cascades. It grows from sea level to 210 meter altitude in the northern part of its range, and at 300-1800 meter in the south of the range. There are three recognized varieties with largely overlapping ranges. 

The tree is named after Nicholas Garry, deputy governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, 1822 t0 1835. In the northerm part of its range, it is an attractive tree, sometimes reaching 90 ft. but more often 50 to 60 ft. In the southern part of its range, it is more often a shrub to 20 ft. It has large, lobed leaves, which it drops in winter. The Garry Oak makes an excellent tree or shrub for mountain gardens and is important for wildlife.

Garry's Oak (Quercus garryana var. breweri) is a native tree that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in slopes, at elevations from 2000-5900 feet.

Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana var. garryana) is a native tree that grows in central and northern California. It tends to grow in slopes, at elevations from 1000-5900 feet.

The California Black Oak gets its name from the dark bark color of mature trees. It has distinctive, deeply lobed leaves that turn brilliant shades of yellow and orange in the fall. It is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall. It also has a large, spreading root system.

Black Oak acorns are an important food source for a wide range of wildlife, including birds, deer, squirrels, and other mammals. It is also a host plant for butterflies and moths. It is a drought-tolerant tree with low moisture requirements. Black Oak grows best in acidic soil.

The Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) grows into the largest of North American oaks. It ranges over the hot interior valleys of California where there is a water table within reach of the roots.

Valley Oaks grow quickly, reaching 20 feet in 5 years, and 40 feet in 10 years, and up to 60 feet in 20 years. Mature specimens may attain an age of up to 600 years. Its thick, ridged bark is characteristic and evokes alligator hide. The sturdy trunk of the Valley oak may exceed two to three meters in diameter and its stature may approach 100 feet in height.

The branches have an irregular, spreading and arching appearance that produces a profound leafless silhouette in the clear winter sky. During autumn, leaves turn a yellow to light orange color but become brown during mid- to late fall.

In advancing age, the branches assume a drooping characteristic. Its pewter-colored rippled bark adds to the attractive aesthetic of this species.

Typically, leaves are five to ten centimeters in length and are roundly and deeply lobed. The leaf width is approximately one half its length. Each leaf is matte green, with a pale green underside; moreover, the leaf is covered with abundant soft fuzz, yielding an almost velvety feeling. When a fresh leaf is rubbed or broken, an aromatic scent is exuded, evoking a forest odor. The wood is a dull brown approaching yellow.

Over most of the range, acorns fall in October. A variety of mammals and birds eat them, including the Acorn Woodpecker, Western Scrub Jay, Yellow-billed Magpie, and California Ground Squirrel. Like many oaks, Valley Oaks can tolerate wildfires. Although smaller individuals may be top-killed, most resprout from the root crown.

Valley oak tolerates cool wet winters and hot dry summers but requires abundant water. It is most abundant in rich deep soils of valley floors below 600 meters in elevation but can also be found at elevations up to 5,600 ft.

Valley oak is found in dense riparian forests, open foothill woodlands and valley savannas. Commonly associated trees are Coast Live Oak, Interior Live Oak, Blue oak, Black Walnut, California Sycamore and Ghost Pine. The Valley Oak is widely distributed in the California Central Valley and many smaller valleys such as the San Fernando Valley.

Because of its eventual size, it may not be appropriate for the average residential garden. Best not to provide irrigation within 30 feet of established valley oaks. They'll often absorb too much water, causing limbs to break off.

They are messy but beautiful. Best to plant near a water source.

Quercus palmeri is a species of oak known by the common name Palmer oak, or Palmer's oak. It is native to California, Baja California, New Mexico, and in Arizona through the transition zone to the eastern Mogollon Rim, where it grows in canyons, mountain slopes, washes, and other dry habitat types. Quercus palmeri is a shrub or small tree growing up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall, but known to reach 6 meters (20 feet) at times. It branches into angular twigs and is reddish brown. The leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters (0. 4-1. 2 inches) in length. They are stiff, leathery, and brittle, their edges wavy with sharp spine-teeth. The upper surface is shiny, waxy, and olive green in color, the lower gray-green and coated with glandular hairs. The fruit is an acorn with a hairy cap up to 2. 5 centimeters (1 inch) wide and a blunt-ended nut 2 to 3 centimeters (0. 8-1. 2 inches) long. Quercus palmeri is a shrub or small tree growing up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall, but known to reach 6 meters (20 feet) at times. It branches into angular twigs and is reddish brown. The leaves are 1 to 3 centimeters (0. 4-1. 2 inches) in length. They are stiff, leathery, and brittle, their edges wavy with sharp spine-teeth. The upper surface is shiny, waxy, and olive green in color, the lower gray-green and coated with glandular hairs. The fruit is an acorn with a hairy cap up to 2. 5 centimeters (1 inch) wide and a blunt-ended nut 2 to 3 centimeters (0. 8-1. 2 inches) long. Quercus palmeri usually grows in small populations, some of which are actually cloned growths of a single plant. One such clone in the Jurupa Mountains in Riverside County, California, named the Jurupa Oak, was determined to be over 13,000 years old, a single individual living as a relict from the Pleistocene. It is therefore one of the oldest living plants in the world.

Quercus parvula is an evergreen red oak (Section Lobatae) found on north-facing Santa Cruz Island slopes and in the California Coast Ranges from Santa Barbara County north to Mendocino County. It was taxonomically combined with Quercus wislizeni until resurrected as a separate species by Kevin Nixon in 1980. The type locality is Palo Colorado Canyon in Monterey County. Three varieties of Q. parvula are currently recognized:

Quercus parvula var. shrevei, or Shreve Oak, is an evergreen red oak found in the California Coast Ranges from Santa Barbara County north to Mendocino County. It was taxonomically combined with Quercus wislizeni until resurrected as a separate species by Kevin Nixon in 1980. Recent work suggests Q. parvula var. parvula to be Q. parvula var. shrevei x Q. wislizeni.

It generally occurs in foothills where it is common in the low elevations. It is a large shrub or tree growing to 22 meters (73 feet) tall, although it seldom exceeds 10 meters (33 feet). The dark-green leaves -appearing grayish from a distance. Leaves are usually small, 2-5 cm (0. 8-2. 0 inches) long, thick, and often spiny-toothed at higher elevations. All California red oaks show evidence of introgression and/or hybridization with one another.

Island oak (Quercus tomentella), also known as island live oak or channel islands oak, is an evergreen tree in the Oak family (Fagacea). A smaller oak tree in stature, the leaves are hairy (tomentose) on the upper and lower surfaces, toothes, and large compared to other oaks. Young twigs are also hairy, yet mature bark is gray and furrowed. Mature acorns have rounded tips and are also quite large compared to other species.

Endemic (limited) to six islands off the coast of California, it is also federally listed as a rare species because of its limited distribution in the wild. Island oak's natural habitat is Island canyons, slopes and bluffs. Oak trees support a larger number of wildlife than any type of tree in our state. Multiple mammals, birds, amphibians, and pollinators use oak trees for food and shelter. Indigenous People ground the acorns to make flour, after leaching out the tannins; they may also have roasted and ground them and used it as a coffee alternative.

In the garden it is fast growing and trouble-free. It is best used near the coast, but can tolerate inland conditions within about 20 miles of the coast if given some protection and a little extra water during dry times, especially when the young plant is getting established. The large leaves and dense shade create unfavorable conditions for understory plants; plant island shrubs and perennials with similar growing conditions next to it, rather than under it for better results.

Grey Oak (Quercus turbinella) is a rare native shrub in the Fagaceae (Oak) family that grows in scattered locations throughout the Southwestern U.S. In California it is found primarily in the Desert Mountains and Mojave Desert regions at elevations from 3900-6600 feet. The climate in these areas is wet and relatively cold in winter, dry and hot in summer. The oblong leaves are yellowish-green and the bark is grey, giving the plant an overall grey appearance.

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) is a slow-growing, evergreen tree with a distinctive broad crown. The glossy dark green leaves and reddish-brown bark give it a formal look.

In winter and spring, the oak blooms with green and white flowers. The tree's long, narrow acorns serve as a food source for deer.

Interior Live Oak is a resilient and adaptable species. It thrives at elevations ranging from sea level to 5,000 feet, making it an essential part of diverse ecosystems throughout California. Interior Live Oak grows in part to full shade and prefers dry, loamy soil.

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni var. frutescens) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in canyons and slopes and valleys, at elevations from 1000-6600 feet.

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni var. wislizeni) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in canyons and slopes and valleys, at elevations from 0-5200 feet.

Rafinesquia californica is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names California chicory and California plumeseed. It looks like a weedy daisy, bearing heads of elegant white-petaled flowers. The petals are often striped with lavender or pink on the undersides, a feature most noticeable when the flowers are closed. Each fruit has a pappus of stiff white or light brown hairs. It is among the first plants to sprout up in areas recently cleared by fire. Indeed, the seeds germinate more readily in the presence of burned wood. It is native to most of the western United States as far north as Oregon.

Rafinesquia neomexicana is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family. Common names include Desert Chicory, Plumeseed or New Mexico Plumeseed. Plants are gray-green with sparse foliage and are between 15 and 50 centimeter high. Basal leaves are 5 to 20 centimeter long and pinnate with narrow lobes while leaves further up the stem are smaller. White flowerheads appear at the end of the stems between May and June in the species native range.

Alisma Leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus alismifolius) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 2 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in wet places, streambank sand meadows, at elevations from 0-12000 feet.

California Buttercup (Ranunculus californicus) is a perennial herb with glossy, deep yellow flowers featuring 9 to 17 petals. Native to much of California, Baja California, Oregon, and Pacific coastal islands, it blooms in late winter to spring. Two varieties exist: Var. californicus grows 1–2 feet tall, while Var. cuneatus forms a low ground cover.

This buttercup thrives in borders, meadows, and with native annuals or bulbs, needing little summer water. It self-seeds easily and can be propagated from seeds. Occasionally, nursery plants are available. A beautiful, low-maintenance addition, its seeds can even be toasted for culinary use.

Alkali Buttercup (Ranunculus cymbalaria) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 1 foot, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in meadows, at elevations from 0-10500 feet.

Ranunculus glaberrimus (Sagebrush Buttercup) is a small plant native to interior western North America, from central British Columbia east to southern Saskatchewan, southwest to northeastern California, and southeast to northern New Mexico. It prefers habitat near junipers (Juniperus occidentalis) and sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) in damp ground. It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 5-26 centimeter tall. The leaves are oval, sometimes with rounded teeth at the end. The flowers are bright glossy yellow, usually with five petals but sometimes ten or more, the petals 6-15 millimeter long and 4-8 millimeter broad. It is among the first flowers to bloom after the snow has melted.

Ranunculus lobbii is a species of buttercup known by the common name Lobb's buttercup, or Lobb's aquatic buttercup. It is native to a few areas in western North America, where it is reported from British Columbia, Oregon, and northern California. It is an aquatic plant, growing in various types of shallow-water habitat, including forest ponds and vernal pools. It is an annual herb producing submerged stems 20 to 80 centimeters long which may float at the surface. The blades of the leaves are tiny and divided into threadlike segments. If any leaves develop on stem parts which are exposed to air they are much different in morphology, developing larger, more robust leaves. Flowers have generally 5 petals which are white in color and about half a centimeter long. Many stamens and pistils fill the center of the flower. The fruit is an achene borne in a spherical cluster.

The western buttercup (ranunculus occidentalis) is a species of buttercup found in the western United States and Canada. The flower can be seen in open meadows, forests, and other generally flat areas up to an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,200 feet). Aleut Indians may have used protoanemonin, a substance produced when the plant is handled or damaged as a poison, while Shasta Indians coincided blooming R. occidentalis with salmon runs in the summer.

Horticultural selection from Frangula californica from Little sur. 'Little sur' is a very neat and compact evergreen Coffeeberry selection. It is ideally suited to smaller gardens since it stays under 4'h and 3-4' spread. It has rich, dark green foliage year round, with small, white flowers in spring and eye-catching berries in the fall. The large berries start out green, then turn purple and finally black. Use this as a small hedge, under oaks, or as a feature shrub in a small garden or medium height accent shrub in a larger garden. It is naturally suited to coastal areas and most experts recommend some partial shade inland. However, it has done well for us in full sun at our inland site. As with the regular Coffeeberry, this shrub is a hub for birds who feast on the berries in fall.

Horticultural selection R. californica: origin = cuttings (1985) Little sur River mouth, central coast, Monterey Co.; intro Tree of Life Nursery 1987 Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade or shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Rhamnus crocea is a species of buckthorn (Rhamnaceae). It is endemic to western North America. This evergreen shrub is typically one to two meters in height. R. crocea typically occurs in chaparral and several other vegetation communities below 3,000 ft. The flowers are not showy; this species is planted for the berries. You may need more than one plant to ensure pollination. It is spiny so consider where you place it. The leaves are small, round, dark green on top and brown or yellow on the underside. The berries and small spheres, bright red.

Hollyleaf Redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia) is an evergreen native shrub that grows in the foothills and mountains of southern and central California, the Sierra foothills, and the foothills west of Sacremento Valley. It primarily grows at elevations from 500 to 6600 feet. It was formerly considered a subspecies of Rhamnus crocea but is now considered a separate species. Their ranges overlap considerably, and they resemble each other superficially.

This plant is reasonable to grow if properly sited. Plant in part shade or full sun on rocky slopes, or at least with plenty of rocks surrounding it. It seems to prefer part shade in the drier parts of its range.

It can tolerate summer water up to 1x per month. However once established, it's usually happiest without any supplementary water, but in a spot where it can run its roots over to an irrigated area or a place with a little more natural moisture, such as a creek or rain gully. The flowers are inconspicuous; the plant is grown primarily for its springtime bright and shiny red berries. These berries are an important food source for birds.

This plant has small leaves with sharp points along their edges, resembling small holly leaves (thus its common name). These leaves give this plant significant deer resistance. This shrub is quite versatile in garden landscapes, from wildlife habitat to erosion control to hedges and barriers.

In optimal conditions, Hollyleaf Redberry can grow from a 1-gallon container to 3 feet tall in two years.

Hairyleaf Redberry (Rhamnus pilosa) is a relatively rare native shrub that grows in San Diego in the Peninsular Range, at elevations from 500 - 5000 feet. Most frequently it grows in rocky north facing slopes.

It's a striking plant, closely related to Rhamnus crocea, but with a more upright form, and leaves that are grey green in the winter and spring, with somewhat hairier leaves and stems than either Rhamnus crocea or Rhamnus ilicifolia. It produces a beautiful display of bright red berries in May and June. In the summer its leaves turn a darker green. It appears to grow in full sun and part shade.

Unfortunately, this plant is not carried in nurseries.

Rhinotropis californica is a species of flowering plant in the milkwort family known by the common name California milkwort. It is native to southwestern Oregon and northern and central California, where it grows in the coastal mountain ranges in local habitat types such as chaparral and forest. It is a perennial herb producing spreading stems, generally decumbent in form, up to about 35 centimeters in maximum length, lined with narrow oval leaves each a few centimeter long. The upper inflorescences produce several open flowers, and there may be some closed, cleistogamous flowers lower on the plant. The open flowers have pink or white winglike lateral sepals with hairy edges. The petals are similar in color, the central one tipped with a white or yellow beak. The fruit is a flattened green capsule up to a centimeter long containing hairy seeds.

Rhinotropis cornuta is a species of flowering plant in the milkwort family known by the common name Sierra milkwort. It is native to many of the mountain ranges of California and northern Baja California, where it grows in local habitat types such as chaparral and forest. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb or shrub known to exceed 2 meters in maximum height, spreading or growing erect. The leaves are linear, lance-shaped, or narrowly oval, up to 6. 5 centimeters long, and widely spaced along the branches. The inflorescence is a short array of flowers varying in color from greenish or yellowish white to pink. Each has two winglike lateral sepals, and the keeled central petal is tipped with a short beak. The fruit is a brownish flattened capsule.

Rhodiola integrifolia is a species of flowering plant in the stonecrop family known by the common names ledge stonecrop, western roseroot, and king's crown. It is native to north-easternmost Russia, including Kamchatka, and western North America, where it grows in mountainous habitat in subalpine and alpine climates, including meadows, cliffs, and talus. It is a perennial herb producing a stout stem from a fleshy, branching caudex, reaching a maximum height near 30 centimeters. The fleshy leaves are alternately arranged on the stem, widely lance-shaped to oval and pointed, flat but upcurved toward the tip, reaching 2. 5 centimeters long. They are green when new and age to orange, rose, or red. The inflorescence is a dense cyme of up to 50 flowers with fleshy petals in shades of bright red to deep purple. There are several subspecies of this plant, with one, ssp. leedyi, very rare and limited to a few populations in Minnesota and upstate New York. This subspecies is considered a relict from times when its range was covered in glaciers; it survives on barren cliffs which are kept cold by air blowing through cracks from subterranean caves. It is treated as a federally listed threatened species in the United States.

Western Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale var. paludosum) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern California. It tends to grow in wet places, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Sonoma Azalea (Rhododendron occidentale var. sonomense) is a native tree or shrub that grows in central California. It tends to grow in wet places, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

Fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica) is a shrub in the Anacardiaceae (Cashew) family; it has several other common names, including lemonade sumac. It was formerly classified as Rhus trilobata; some sources still refer to it that way. 

It is native to western North America. It occurs in many parts of California, including the northern Coast Ranges, Sierra foothills, and southern coastal mountains. It can be found from deserts to mountain peaks up to about 7,000 feet in elevation.

The pale yellow flowers are followed by a red, fleshy drupe that has a sticky coating, similar to lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia). This species closely resembles other members of the genus that have leaves with three "leaflets" ("trifoliate" leaves), including poison oak. People with sensitivity to poison oak should use caution around fragrant sumac.

The shape of the leaflets and the habit of the shrub make this species, like some other Rhus species, resemble small-leafed oaks (Quercus). The plant is deciduous and exhibits good fall color.

Native deciduous shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall with straight stems coming up from the ground and spreading by roots.

Small yellow blooms in spring followed by red "sour" berries in summer attract wildlife. Edible berries used by Native peoples to make a 'lemonade' drink and eaten with the addition of salt. They use the stems for baby cradle boards and basketry. Crushed leaves are more pungent (more skunklike), less fragrant, than those of Rhus aromatica.

Nice fall color, drought tolerant. Plant in full sun or light shade. Favors slopes and washes. Will grow to 4000 ft elevation. 

Formerly considered its own species (Rhus trilobata),  scientific sources now more commonly refer to it as Rhus aromatica var. trilobata.

Lemonade berry (Rhus integrifolia) is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It tends to grow slowly at first, then fast to 10 feet to 30 feet tall. Its form is upright  but it  can sprawl. However, it takes pruning very well and may be pruned, or sheared as a hedge, at any time of year.  The ;eaves are leathery, with a waxy appearance above and a paler tone below. The pink flowers, which appear from February to May, are small but noticeable. The fruit is dark red, block-shaped and sticky, and has a tart flavor which gives the plant its name. 

Lemonade berry is great for slopes. It is easy to grow and very hardy, becoming nearly indestructible once established. At that point it will stay green and healthy-looking year round without any supplementary summer water. It prefers sun or part sun and well-draining soil. 

Lemonade berry is very closely related to Sugar Bush. A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is within 5-10 miles of the coast, lemonade berry is a better choice. More inland, sugar bush does better.

This is an important wildlife plant. The berries are a significant food source for birds and small mammals, and the thick sprawling form provides excellent animal shelter.  It hosts almost a dozen species of butterfly and moth. 

Sugar Bush (Rhus ovata) is an evergreen shrub to small tree that grows in chaparral in dry canyons and slopes below 4300 feet in southern California, Arizona and Baja California. In the southern part of its range (in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties), Sugar Bush generally grows in the foothills and mountains, and the closely related Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia) grows closer to the coast.

It has a rounded appearance, often growing wider than tall. Sugar Bush has thick,breddish twigs. Its foliage consists of dark-green, leathery, ovate leaves that are folded along the midrib. The leaf arrangement is alternate.

Its flower clusters, which occur at the ends of branches, consist of small, five-petaled flowers that appear to be pink but upon closer examination actually have white to pink petals with red sepals. Additionally, the flowers may be either bisexual or pistillate. The fruit is a small reddish, sticky drupe, about 0.2 to 0.5 inches in diameter, that is said to be edible.

Sugar Bush is tough, easy to grow, and very fast growing once established. A 5-gallon container plant will reach 10 feet in about three years if happy.

In nature, you'll almost always see Sugar Bush on slopes, though it grows well on flat areas in garden applications. It's one of the few larger chaparral shrubs that grows well in south-facing slopes even in the drier parts of its range, and it's a great bank stabilizer. It tolerates a wide variety of soils.

It grows fastest with full sun, just a little slower in part shade. It tolerates summer water up to 1x per month but shouldn't need any once established. It is incredibly healthy and typically will appear green and lush through the entire dry season without any supplementary water.

The biggest downside of this plant is that it can get huge, often more than 30 feet wide, and can aggressively crowd out nearby plants. It is said to be fire resistant, especially if given supplemental water.

Sugar Bush hybridizes often with Lemonade Berry (Rhus integrifolia). A good rule of thumb for landscaping applications is: Within 5-10 miles of the coast, Lemonade Berry is a better choice. More inland, Sugar Bush does better.

Ribes amarum is a species of currant known by the common name bitter gooseberry. It is endemic to California, where it is known from mountains, foothills, and canyons. Its habitat includes chaparral. Ribes amarum is a shrub growing to one to two meters (40-80 inches) in height. Nodes along the stem each bear three spines up to a centimeter (0. 4 inch) in length. The hairy, glandular leaves are 2 to 4 centimeters (0. 8-1. 6 inches) long and generally rounded in shape, divided into 3 to 5 rounded toothed lobes. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or raceme of up to three flowers which hang from leaf axils. The showy flower has five pointed sepals in shades of purple-red which are reflexed upward. At the center is a tubular corolla of white or pink-tinged petals around five stamens and two styles. The fruit is a bristly berry up to 2 centimeters wide which is bright red, ripening purple.

Golden currant is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub with golden spring blooms. The flowers and fruit of this fragrant and attractive shrub make the golden currant a valuable wildlife plant. Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees are attracted to the golden yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. The fruit is an important food source for many bird species as well as small mammals like squirrels and chipmunks. The berries are also used in pies, preserves, and other dishes.

Golden currant is very easy to grow and spreads readily, making it a good choice for revegetation, hedging, and groundcover applications. It grows best in moist conditions and benefits from partial shade, irrigation, and mulching in drier areas. On the coast, it prefers full sun. Inland, it prefers part shade and does best when surrounded by mulch, and grows well under oaks and in mixed chaparral. Once established, golden currant needs no special care.

One of two recognized varieties of the species Ribes aureum, all known by the common name Golden Currant, it is a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub 6-10 feet tall. It is native to the inland mountains of California, primarily the Sierras. It tends to have a more upright form than Ribes aureum var gracillimum. It blooms in spring with racemes of conspicuous golden yellow flowers that gradually turn red. Flowers often have a fragrance similar to that of cloves or vanilla. The flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Leaves are green, shaped similarly to gooseberry leaves, and turn red in autumn. The plant is deciduous from late December to early February. The shrub produces berries about half an inch in diameter from an early age. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black in color, are edible, and attract a wide range of birds. This plant is recommended for higher elevation gardens.

Ribes aureum var gracillimum, known by the common name Golden Currant, is a species of small to medium-sized deciduous shrub that grows 3-6 feet tall. It's native to the coast and foothill regions of California, growing most commonly in the southern foothills of the Transverse Range, and more rarely in the coastal ranges as far as the Mendocino National Forest. It blooms in spring with racemes of conspicuous golden yellow flowers, often with a pronounced fragrance similar to that of cloves or vanilla. The flowers attract hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Leaves are green, shaped similarly to gooseberry leaves, turning red in autumn. The plant is deciduous from late December to early February. The shrub produces berries about half an inch in diameter from an early age. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black in color, are tasty, and attract a wide range of birds.

While Golden Currants are fairly drought tolerant once mature, they grow best in areas with somewhat more ground water, such as the bottom of slopes, near creeks or canyon bottoms, or near irrigated areas. On the coast, they prefer full sun, and inland, part shade. They do best when surrounded by mulch, and grow well under oak trees and in mixed chaparral. When Golden Currants are thriving, they self-seed and spread out from the original plant and can serve as a groundcover.

Ribes cereum is a species of currant known by the common names wax currant (R. c. var. pedicellare is known as whisky currant). It is native to western North America, including British Columbia, Alberta, and much of the western United States, from Washington, Oregon, and California east as far as the western Dakotas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Ribes cereum grows in several types of habitat, including mountain forests in alpine climates, sagebrush, and woodlands. It can grow in many types of soils, including sandy soils and soil made of clay substrates, serpentine soils, and lava beds. This is a spreading or erect shrub growing 20 centimeters (8 inches) to 2 meters (80 inches) tall. It is aromatic, with a "spicy" scent. The stems are fuzzy and often very glandular, and lack spines and prickles. The leaves are somewhat rounded and divided into shallow lobes which are toothed along the edges. The leaves are hairless to quite hairy, and usually studded with visible resin glands, particularly around the edges. The inflorescence is a clustered raceme of 2 to 9 flowers. The small flower is tubular with the white to pink sepals curling open at the tips to form a corolla-like structure. Inside there are minute white or pinkish petals, five stamens, and a two protruding green styles. The fruit is a rather tasteless red berry up to a centimeter (0. 4 inch) wide, with a characteristically long, dried flower remnant at the end.


One of it's former common names (S**** currant) is considered derogatory as a slur used against Native women.

Wax Currant (Ribes cereum var. cereum) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry slopes, at elevations from 4900-13100 feet.

Ribes divaricatum is a species of currant known by several common names, including spreading gooseberry, coast black gooseberry, and wild gooseberry. It is native to the forests, woodlands, and coastal scrub of western North America from British Columbia to California. It is a shrub sometimes reaching 3 meters in height with woody branches with one to three thick brown thorns at leaf nodes. The leaves are generally palmate in shape and edged with teeth. The blades are up to 6 centimeters long and borne on petioles. The flower cluster is a small cluster of hanging flowers, each with reflexed purple-tinted green sepals and smaller, lighter petals encircling long, protruding stamens. The fruit is a berry up to a centimeter wide which is black when ripe. It is similar to Ribes lacustre and Ribes lobbi, but the former has smaller, reddish to maroon flowers and the latter has reddish flowers that resemble those of fuchsias and sticky leaves. The fruit was food for a number of Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest, and other parts of the plant, especially the bark, was used for medicinal purposes.

Ribes divaricatum is a species of in the genus Ribes found in the forests, woodlands, and coastal scrub of western North America from British Columbia to California. The three accepted varieties have various common names which include the word "gooseberry". Other common names include coast black gooseberry, wild gooseberry and, in the UK, Worcesterberry. Ribes divaricatum is a shrub sometimes reaching 3 meters in height with woody branches with one to three thick brown thorns at leaf nodes. The leaves are generally palmate in shape and edged with teeth. The blades are up to 6 centimeters long and borne on petioles. The inflorescence is a small cluster of hanging flowers, each with reflexed purple-tinted green sepals and smaller, lighter petals encircling long, protruding stamens. The fruit is a sweet-tasting berry up to a centimeter wide which is black when ripe. It is similar to Ribes lacustre and Ribes lobbii, but the former has smaller, reddish to maroon flowers and the latter has reddish flowers that resemble those of fuchsias and sticky leaves. Traditional Native American medical plants. The fruit was food for a number of Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest, and other parts of the plant, especially the bark, was used for medicinal purposes.

Ribes indecorum is a species of currant known by the common names white-flowered currant and white chaparral currant. It is native to the southern California Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and Peninsular Ranges, from around Santa Barbara County in California south into northern Baja California.

It is an erect shrub approaching three meters in maximum height. The stem is fuzzy and glandular in texture. The deciduous leaves are 1 to 4 centimeters long. The thick, wrinkly blades are divided into three to five toothed lobes, and are hairy, glandular, and aromatic. The inflorescence is a loose raceme of 10 to 25 flowers. The flower is roughly tubular with the white or pink-tinged sepals spreading open to reveal smaller whitish petals inside. Flowers bloom in late winter / early spring, and have an exceptionally pleasant fragrance, among the best of any California native.The fruit is a hairy, sticky very attractive berry that can be orange, purple, pink or red, and are under a centimeter wide.

White Flowering Currant is very drought tolerant once established, but still does does best in part shade, or in spots that retain slightly more moisture, such as creek sides, north or east facing slopes, or adjacent to boulders. Best to avoid direct summer water after this plant is established. It'll go nearly completely summer deciduous, and then spring back to life with the start of the rainy season.

Whitestem Gooseberry (Ribes inerme) is a native shrub that grows in southern and central California. It is moderately fast growing and long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 8 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are green and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow at elevations from 0-6600 feet.

Ribes inerme is a species of currant known by the common names whitestem gooseberry and white stemmed gooseberry. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to California to the Rocky Mountains. It grows in mountain forests, woodlands, and meadows. The less common Ribes inerme var. klamathense, known as Klamath gooseberry, is confined to the states of California and Oregon. Ribes inerme is an erect or spreading thicketlike shrub approaching 3 metres (9. 8 ft) in maximum height. The stem is hairless or bristly and has black resin glands and spines at its nodes. The small leaves are divided deeply into three to five toothed lobes which may be divided partway into smaller lobes. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or raceme of up to five flowers which hangs pendent. The flower has five reddish green sepals which are reflexed upward. At the center are white or pinkish petals and protruding stamens and stigmas. The fruit is an edible hairless greenish, purple, or black berry roughly a centimeter (0. 4 inch) wide. Varieties: Ribes inerme var. inerme Ribes inerme var. klamathense - Klamath gooseberry

Ribes malvaceum, called "chaparral currant", is a member of the Grossulariaceae (gooseberry family). It is endemic to California. It occurs below 1500 meter in chaparral, foothill oak woodland, and closed-cone pine forest ranging from Baja California to the San Francisco Bay area and inner Northern Coastal Ranges. Less than 2 meters tall, this perennial shrub lacks the characteristic nodal spines which are demonstrated on the stems of many other members in the genus Ribes. The leaf blades (20-50 millimeter) are densely hairy and double toothed. Bright pink flowers produce edible purple berries.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Horticultural selection from Ribes malvaceum var. malvaceum. Dancing Tassels is a beautiful summer deciduous shrub for shady areas. Growing to 6 feet tall, this vase shaped shrub has soft green lobed leaves and peeling red-brown bark. The small, pinkish white flowers are jammed together on pendulous, chandelier-like 4 inch clusters. Dancing Tassels was selected for use in the garden by the Rancho santa Ana Botanical Garden because it sports the longest flower clusters of the species. It is originally from Bryce Canyon on san Clemente Island. Chaparral Currant blooms earlier in winter than the Pink Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum), providing hummingbirds an outstanding nectar source in late fall and early winter. It is also more sun and drought tolerant than R. Sanguineum. After its long flowering period, Dancing Tassels produces dark blue fruits that appeal to a large variety of songbirds and human jelly makers. Tailed Copper butterflies also use it as a larval plant. In coastal areas plant in full sun or part shade, inland it needs filtered shade. It is not finicky about soil type, but it needs good drainage. Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden on san Clemente Island by Bart O' Brien and Tom Hayduk of Rancho santa Ana Botanic Garden.

White chaparral currant (Ribes malvaceum 'Rana White') is a distinctive form of currant that features pure white flowers instead of the usual pink, creating a striking contrast against its true green, aromatic foliage. It grows into an upright shrub reaching 6 feet or more tall and wide. In winter and early spring, short, pendant clusters of fragrant white flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, followed by sticky berries enjoyed by birds. Extremely drought-adapted once established, it may drop its leaves in late summer and leaf out again in late fall, though with moderate watering it can remain nearly evergreen. Plant in full sun to light shade. Native to chaparral and woodland edges across much of California. Introduced by Rana Nursery.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium) is a summer-deciduous shrub that native to southern and central California, growing primarily in the transverse range mountains and upper peninsular range mountains.

It grows quickly to about 6 feet in height, with beautiful red to light pink flowers in the winter that attract hummingbirds. It can handle some summer water (1-2x per month), and a wide variety of soil types. It prefers part shade or full shade.

Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.