I'm in the process of tearing out a water-hungry exotic landscape and replacing it with California natives. I've come to the point where it's time to remove this bush, but something tells me this might be a local native. It seems like some sort of Rhamnus, but not exactly. Notice how some of the leaves have spines on the margin and the others do not. The leaves are arranged alternately on the branch and the fruits contain a single seed that is almost as large as the fruit. The plant is very pale as if it was iron-deficient, and it's in full sun. One arborist referred to it as a "Catalina Cherry," but I'm almost certain it's not a Prunus ilicifolia. I'm hoping someone here can assist. Thanks.
Sorry missed the second photo which make me think it's P. ilicifolia which is highly variable and has several var's or sub-species. Back again with Prunus caroliniana 'Bright 'N Tight™' (Monus)' http://navigator.gardenpilot.com/Tag.aspx?pl=36666&pr=1
Thanks for the assist. It looks like that might be it, but can 'Bright 'N 'Tight' have actual spines on the margins? That's what I see here. Of course, it could be a hybrid of a hybrid or some such. I won't feel as bad tearing it out if it's not a native to the area.
The straight species does so I suppose bright-n-tight can too. http://www.pendernursery.com/Catalog/Detail/prunuscaroliniana.html http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/webtour/species/cherrylaurel/images/PRUca35_web.jpg
I'm pretty sure that's it. I broke a stem and it does smell like Maraschino cherries as described by some. I thought it was a Prunus and went through every one of them, but not cultivars. Thanks again. I think it might be a 'Cherry Ruffles' cultivar because the leaves are pretty wavy on many branches.
