Ceanothus oliganthus explained

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

The variety of this species known as jimbrush (var. sorediatus) is sometimes treated as a separate species.[2]

Habitat and range

It occurs in California[3] and Baja California,[4] 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.[1]

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.[1] Leaves have a toothed edge.[1] The leaf is covered with short, soft hairs on the top.

Branchlets are flexible, not stiff.[1]

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.[1]

It blooms April to May.[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Flowering Plants of the Santa Monica Mountains, Nancy Dale, 2nd Ed., 2000, p. 167
  2. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CESO2 USDA Plants Profile: var. sorediatus
  3. http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=1810 Ceanothus oliganthus at CalFlora
  4. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=56108 Jepson Herbarium