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California prickbush

Scientific Name: Adolphia californica

Family: Rhamnaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Adolphia californica: California Prickbush

Adolphia californica, a flowering shrub in the buckthorn family, is known by several common names.

  • Scientific Name: Adolphia californica S. Watson
  • Common Names: California prickbush, California spineshrub, California adolphia

Considerations for Pets and Children

This plant is described as a rigid, thorny bush. These features may present a physical hazard. Consider these characteristics when planting or handling.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonym: California prickbush (as a synonym for California spinebush)

Distribution and Habitat

Adolphia californica is native to:

  • Southern California (USA)
  • Northern Mexico (Baja California)
  • Chaparral and Oak Woodlands of Southern and Central California

Morphological Characteristics

  • Shrub
  • Perennial (lives for more than two years)
  • Rigid and thorny
  • Flowering

Additional Information

  • It is included in the CNPS (California Native Plant Society) Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 2.1 (rare, threatened).
  • It is a habitat for the endangered coastal California gnatcatcher.

Further Resources

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Discover Life
  • USDA Plant Database
  • Catalogue of Life
  • GBIF Backbone Taxonomy
  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)