Jump to content

Rhamnus crocea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rhamnus crocea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Rhamnus
Species:
R. crocea
Binomial name
Rhamnus crocea
Synonyms[1]
  • Endotropis crocea (Nutt.) Hauenschild
  • Rhamnus crocea subsp. typica C.B.Wolf, not validly publ.
  • Ventia crocea (Nutt.) Hauenschild
Rhamnus crocea flowers

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, five subspecies are recognized.[1]

Description

[edit]

This evergreen shrub is typically 1–2 metres (3+1⁄2–6+1⁄2 ft) in height.[2] The leaves are 1.4 centimetres (1⁄2 in) long. The flowers have four yellow-green sepals and no petals. The fruit is a red berry containing two nutlets.[3]

Taxonomy

[edit]

As of March 2024, Plants of the World Online accepted five subspecies:[1]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

Rhamnus 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]

R. crocea typically occurs in chaparral, with common flora associates being toyon and hollyleaf cherry.[9]

Uses

[edit]

The edible fruit[3] was consumed by Native Americans in the Western United States.[10] When eaten in large quantities, it reportedly imparts a red tint to the consumer's entire body.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Rhamnus crocea Nutt." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  2. ^ Abrams, LeRoy (1951). Illustrated Flora of the Pacific States. Vol. 3. Stanford University Press. p. 63. ISBN 0-8047-0005-2.
  3. ^ a b Turner, Mark; Kuhlmann, Ellen (2014). Trees & Shrubs of the Pacific Northwest (1st ed.). Portland, OR: Timber Press. p. 234. ISBN 978-1-60469-263-1.
  4. ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. ilicifolia (Kellogg) C.B.Wolf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  5. ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. insula (Kellogg) C.B.Wolf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  6. ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. pilosa (Trel. ex Curran) Abrams". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  7. ^ "Rhamnus crocea subsp. pirifolia (Greene) C.B.Wolf". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Hogan, C. Michael (2008). Stromberg, N. (ed.). "Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)". GlobalTwitcher. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009.
  10. ^ a b Saunders, Charles Francis (1934). Edible and Useful Wild Plants. Dover. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-486-23310-9. LCCN 75-46193.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rhamnus crocea.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rhamnus_crocea&oldid=1271481222"