Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Rhamnaceae

Genus:

Colubrina

Species:

Colubrina californica

USDA Symbol:

COCA18

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

450 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

mar,apr,may

Bloom Colors:

yellow, green

Landscaping Shrub:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:

★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, bees, small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire; well-adapted to desert fire regimes.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rocky, well-drained desert soil

pH:

6.5 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to very dry

Notes:

native to arid desert regions

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:

Seed coat scarification required before sowing

Notes:

Scarification of the hard seed coat improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI