Ceanothus oliganthus

Ceanothus oliganthus is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae known by the common name hairy ceanothus[1] or hairy-leaf ceanothus.[2]

Ceanothus oliganthus
Ceanothus oliganthus var. sorediatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Ceanothus
Species:
C. oliganthus
Binomial name
Ceanothus oliganthus
Synonyms

Ceanothus divaricatus
Ceanothus hirsutus
Ceanothus orcuttii

The variety of this species known as jimbrush (var. sorediatus) is sometimes treated as a separate species.[3]

Habitat and range

It occurs in California[4] and Baja California,[5] where it occurs through all of the coastal mountain ranges in dry habitat such as chaparral.

Description

This is a large, erect shrub approaching 3 meters in maximum height.

Leaves and stems

The stipules (small leaf-like structures on the stems at the base of the leaf stem, are thin and fall off early.[2]

The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and may be up to 4 centimeters long. They are dark green on top, paler and hairy on the underside, and are edged with glandular teeth. Leaves have 3 main veins rising from the base.[2] Leaves have a toothed edge.[2] The leaf is covered with short, soft hairs on the top.

Branchlets are flexible, not stiff.[2]

Inflorescence and fruit

The inflorescence is a cluster or series of clusters of blue or purple flowers.

The fruit is a capsule which may be hairy or not, depending on variety.

The fruit is not horned.[2]

It blooms April to May.[2]

References
  1. "Ceanothus oliganthus". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., 2000, p. 167
  3. USDA Plants Profile: var. sorediatus
  4. Ceanothus oliganthus at CalFlora
  5. Jepson Herbarium


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