Comarostaphylis diversifolia

(Parry) Greene

Summer-holly, Mock Arbutus

Ericaceae Edible: Fruit, Caution Potential hazards — see below 1,479 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Comarostaphylis diversifolia, known by the common names summer holly and California comarostaphylos, is a species of shrub in the heath family. It is native to Southern California and northern Baja California, where it grows in coastal chaparral habitat.

Description

A shrub or tree. It grows 6 m high. It can form woody tubers and sprout from the stump. The leaves are arranged in a horizontal fashion. They are 3-13 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The leaves on shoot suckers are larger and wider. The flowering shoots are 4-14 cm long. The fruit are 5-7 mm across

Edible Uses

The fruit are edible after boiling.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are poisonous when fresh but are edible after boiling.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

The fruit are poisonous when fresh.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant.

Where It Grows

Mexico, North America, USA,

References (2)

Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 38 (As Arctostaphylos arguta)
Flora of North America. www.eFloras.org