D. occidentalis is native to the Bay Area only: "endemic". (Its closest relative, D. palustris (Eastern Leatherwood) is native to the eastern half of the US.) Barely holding its own here, it is classified as rare, threatened, or endangered. It grows in many ecosystems at Jasper Ridge. We were lucky to see blossoms; the leaves come out later. Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve, Trail 8, 1/30/2024, 11:47 am.