Common names:
Bushrue, coast spice bush
Family:
Scientific name:
Cneoridium dumosum
Main flower color:
Range:
Southern California
Height:
Up to 6 feet
Habitat:
Hillsides, coastal bluffs, below 2,500 feet; generally dry, exposed locations
Leaves:
Opposite, evergreen, linear, up to 1 inch long, with rounded tips
Season:
February to May
Cneoridium dumosum, a monotypic species, is mostly restricted to the beaches and hills around San Diego in far south California, the range extending north towards Los Angeles. Plants are densely-branched shrubs, with linear, evergreen leaves, hairless, unlobed and untoothed, dotted with light-colored glands, which contribute to the citrusy aroma.
Flowers consist of four small, yellowish-green sepals, joined only at the base, four larger obovate white petals, a ring of eight stamens and a central ovary topped by a reddish stigma. Stamens are of two different lengths, the longer ones positioned above the sepals. The white filaments are tapering, widest at the base. Anthers are pale yellow-brown. Fruits are spherical drupes, a quarter of an inch in diameter, initially green, ageing to red.
Flowers consist of four small, yellowish-green sepals, joined only at the base, four larger obovate white petals, a ring of eight stamens and a central ovary topped by a reddish stigma. Stamens are of two different lengths, the longer ones positioned above the sepals. The white filaments are tapering, widest at the base. Anthers are pale yellow-brown. Fruits are spherical drupes, a quarter of an inch in diameter, initially green, ageing to red.
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