ORANGE COUNTY ZOO
Photo courtesy of
Irvine Park Railroad
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The Orange County Zoo is
owned and operated by the
County
of Orange, California.
Web page produced by the
Orange County Zoological Society,
Copyright 2005.
Coffeeberry
Rhamnus californica
The Coffeeberry is found in Oregon, California, Arizona and New Mexico. This 15
foot shrub grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub and woodlands, generally from
3,500 to 7,000 feet. The large
berries begin green, turn red and then ripen to black. This plant is drought
tolerant.
Native American Usage
This plant had many medicinal uses including laxative, rheumatism and for poison
oak. The berries were eaten raw or dried for winter use.