Taxon Report

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. var. cedrorum (Raiche & Reveal) D. Potter & Raiche

Cedars oceanspray

Print Report

Taxon Summary

Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum, commonly known as Cedars oceanspray, is a perennial deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae that is found only in California. It occurs within Chaparral (sometimes), and Closed-cone coniferous forest, growing at elevations from 170 to 540 meters. Holodiscus discolor var. cedrorum is ranked 1B.3, Plants Rare, Threatened or Endangered in California and Elsewhere; Not very threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. var. cedrorum (Raiche & Reveal) D. Potter & Raiche
Common Name:	Cedars oceanspray
Family:	Rosaceae
Element Code:	PDROS0V041
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial deciduous shrub
Blooming Period: (Apr)May-Jun(Jul)	(Apr)May-Jun(Jul)
Elevation:	170-540 (560-1770)
General Habitats:	Chaparral, Closed-cone coniferous forest
Microhabitat:	Serpentine
Microhabitat Details:	Usually on peridotite. Locally common on lower canyon slopes in relatively mesic, old-growth Hesperocyparis sargentii woodland where it may be encountered even in dense shade. Sometimes found in chaparral, predominantly on north-facing slopes.

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	1B.3
Global Rank:	G5T1
State Rank:	S1
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	BLM_S
CRPR Changes:	added to 1B.3 on 2024-04-11

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	9
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	0
Good (B)	0
Fair (C)	0
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	9

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Sonoma (SON)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Cazadero (3812351), Fort Ross (3812352), Tombs Creek (3812362)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	0
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	0	%

Notes




Threats:
Possibly threatened by road construction, mining, and brush clearing.
Taxonomy:
Differentiated from other varieties by its growth on serpentine and leaves that are glabrous, adaxially shiny, flushed red, and with wedge-shaped bases.

Selected References

Proposed addition to CRPR 1B.3, G1T1 / S1 (2024)

Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 5(1): 25–32 (2011)

Phytotaxa 477(2): 284–290 (2020)

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 28 October 2025].