Coffeeberries

Coffeeberries, also known by their scientific name Frangula californica, are the fruits of a shrub native to California and Baja California, Mexico. This plant is a member of the Rhamnaceae family, which also includes other species of *Frangula*. The berries themselves are small, about 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter, and typically start as red before ripening to a dark purple or black color. They are technically drupes, meaning they have a fleshy outer part surrounding a hard seed. Historically, indigenous peoples of California utilized various parts of the coffeeberry plant, including the fruits, for medicinal purposes and as a dye. The berries contain compounds that are cathartic, meaning they can induce bowel movements, and were traditionally prepared in specific ways to mitigate their potency. While they are called "coffeeberries," they do not contain caffeine and are not used to make the beverage we commonly associate with coffee. The plant itself is drought-tolerant and often used in landscaping for its ornamental value and ability to support local wildlife. It is a valuable component of chaparral and coastal sage scrub ecosystems.