Hollyleaf Redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia)

Rhamnus ilicifolia is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family known by the common name hollyleaf redberry. It is native to western North America, where it is a common plant growing in many types of habitat, including chaparral and wooded areas, from Oregon through California, to Baja California and Arizona.

R. ilicifolia is a rambling shrub approaching four meters in maximum height. The thick leaves are oval to rounded with rounded tips, measuring 2 to 4 centimeters long. The edges are spiny-toothed and curve under, making the leaves concave. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or umbel of up to six flowers. The flower has four pointed sepals and no petals. The fruit is a drupe which ripens to bright shiny red. It is just under a centimeter wide and contains two seeds.