Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

redberry Rhamnaceae Rhamnus crocea Nutt. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: RHCR
Leaf: Alternate, simple, evergreen, oval, 1/4 to 3/4 inch long, fine, spiny teeth (holly-like, occasionally entire), leathery, shiny green above, slightly lighter below.
Flower: Species is dioecious; small, yellow-green, 4 triangular sepals, small cluster bloom from leaf axils in mid-spring.
Fruit: Shiny, bright red, round drupe, 1/3 inch in diameter, ripen in summer.
Twig: Slender and stiff, red when young but turning gray, often end in a stiff, "thorn-like" twig; buds small, scaly.
Bark: Smooth gray, becomes shallowly fissured and rough on large specimens.
Form: Sprawling dense shrub up to 10 feet tall but usually much less.
 Looks like: hollyleaf redberry

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Additional Range Information: Rhamnus crocea is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material © 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information