The leaves on these plant are alternate, although the leaflets are usually opposite. Rosaceae is a strong component of the mountains native habitats, and one will often find areas populated by almost nothing but members of this family - groupings of cream bush, toyon, cinquefoil, horkelia, blackberry, thimbleberry and strawberries are quite common. Thimbleberry Rubus spectabilis Salmonberry Rubus ursinus California Blackberry Cotoneaster sp. Most open areas at lower elevations and in many backyards. The various forms range from a low-growing shrub to a thirty foot tree.
Birds eat the berries and in turn spread the seeds.
Beach is the lower, dark green shiny one. Beach Strawberry also has a larger flower and a smaller fruit. Both species can be found growing together along Gray Whale Cove trail in McNee Ranch State Park. Bluff trails and inland open woods and meadows. Below left, a nice shot of a young whole plant section - this may be connected to dozens of other sections by runners that cover many square yards.