Frangula rubra, commonly known as Sierra coffeeberry or red buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub native to chaparral, mixed evergreen forests, and oak woodlands of northern and eastern California, as well as western Nevada, particularly in the Sierra Nevada and Klamath Mountains. It typically grows to about 7 feet (2.1 meters) in height and has a spreading habit. The bark is smooth and can be red or gray, while the leaves are small, deciduous, and green, turning yellow in the fall. The inconspicuous flowers are greenish-white, blooming in late spring to early summer, and are followed by small, round, black drupes that contain two seeds each.

Sierra coffeeberry is valued for its adaptability to various soil types and its drought tolerance once established, making it a suitable choice for native plant gardens, wildlife habitats, and erosion control. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soils. While it is low-maintenance, it can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. This shrub is also recognized for its ecological role as a food source for birds and other wildlife.CC BY-SA 4.0