Prunus ilicifolia

Wildflowers

Dicots

Eudicots

Rosids

Rosales

Rosaceae

Prunus

Holly-leaved cherry.

Flowers in February-June (in 2011 I saw 2 blooms in late January) and produces a cherry sized fruit in the fall (late August-Oct). The fruit is edible, but not worth the effort as the fruit is composed almost entirely of seed.

Like many plants it blooms first at the lower elevations, and later higher.

The leaves have small spines (hence “holly”).

Common on the upper reaches of most trails.

Unripe “cherries”, seen in June

Riper berries in September

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