Coral plant is a species of flowering plant in the Jatropha genus of shrubs, which is native to Mexico and the Caribbean. All parts of the plant, including the milky sap, are poisonous if ingested. The fruits are sweet tasting, but again toxic and dangerous. This perennial has been introduced to parts of South America, … Read more

Until recently, the Carissa genus of shrubs contained around 100 recognized species, but many have now been assigned to other genera or simply as a synonym.  Native to tropical parts of Africa, Australia, and Asia, Carissa grows as a shrub or small tree. It has white, star-shaped flowers, followed by plum-like berries that are either … Read more

Calotropis is a genus of shrubs commonly referred to as milkweed because of the latex substance discharged by the plant. Native to parts of Africa and Asia, this plant is considered a weed in many places.  Calotropis is a poisonous, flowering plant commonly found on neglected farmland. The two most common forms are known as … Read more

Candlestick bush or Senna alata, grows as a small perennial tree or shrub with flowers that are bright yellow, upright racemes, that look like a candlestick.  Native to parts of the tropics,  this plant commonly grows in diverse habitats. It will thrive at elevations of around 1200 m in its native tropics (e.g. South America, … Read more

Carolina allspice, also known as spice bush, is a member of the Calycanthus genus of flowering shrubs. This non-invasive plant is native to the south-eastern part of the United States. It is a commonly grown garden plant.  This perennial shrub, also known as the sweet shrub, is not the plant that produces allspice.  The spice … Read more

Cherry Laurel, or Prunus laurocerasus, is a species of evergreen shrub with many recognized variants of the common name.  Native to countries that border the Back Sea, from southwestern Asia to southeastern Europe, this plant grows either as a large, spreading shrub or as a medium-sized tree.  This perennial also known as the common or … Read more

Chuparosa, or Justicia californica is a species of flowering shrub with many recognized common names.  Native to California, Arizona, and Mexico, this plant commonly grows in deserts and attracts huge flocks of hummingbirds.  This perennial, also known as the hummingbird bush, is grown both as an ornamental plant  for a desert garden and as a … Read more

Cleyera is a genus of shrubs with about 20 recognized species. Native to China and Japan, and naturalized in Mexico and Central America, this plant is tender and evergreen. This slow-growing perennial shrub is as much grown for its attractive, colorful foliage as for its fragrant Spring flowers and late summer berries. History The Cleyera … Read more

Frangula californica, or Coffeeberry is a species of flowering and fruiting shrub in the buckthorn family. Native to southern parts of North America, the coffeeberry has edible fruits.  This perennial plant is also known as the Californian coffeeberry or Californian buckthorn.  History The name “coffeeberry” arises from the similarity of the plant’s fruit to that … Read more

Ceanothus is a genus of over 50 shrubs and small trees. Its fragrant flowers are a pretty and unusual blue color. It is native to and grows wild in North West America. This evergreen perennial bush, also known as the soap bush or buckbrush, is grown as an ornamental plant. It isn’t a lilac. History … Read more