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Ceanothus herbaceus (Redroot)
Marcus, Joseph A.

Ceanothus herbaceus Raf.

Redroot, Prairie redroot, Jersey tea, Inland Ceanothus, Fuzzy Ceanothus

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Synonyms: Ceanothus ovatus

USDA Symbol: CEHE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This species grows 2-3 ft. tall with a thick rootstock and dense foliage. Leaves as much as 2 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide, may be as small as 1 inch by 1/4 inch, with prominent, yellowish veins on the lower side. Margins finely serrate. Less woody than C. americanus, with narrow, glossier leaves and shorter flower clusters. Flowers small, white, in dense, rounded clusters 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide, at the ends of leafy twigs, opening from March to July. Fruit a rounded, dark brown, 3 lobed capsule, about 3/16 inch in diameter, with a saucerlike support. Fall color is insignificant.

This genus can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AR , CO , DC , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MI , MN , MO , MT , ND , NE , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , SD , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV , WY
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: VT, Que., MN & Powder River, Co., MT, s. to n.w. IN, LA & TX
Native Habitat: Rocky, open, wooded hillsides; roadsides. Little Bluestem prairies; Rocky woods; Limestone escarpment. In drier, more alkaline habitat than Ceanothus americanus.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Well-drained clays, sandy loams, or limey soils, calcareous preferred. Often found growing in cracks in limestone outcrops.
Conditions Comments: Prefers more alkaline and dry sites than Ceanothus herbaceus.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Supports Conservation Biological Control

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Ceanothus herbaceus is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Mottled Duskywing
(Erynnis martialis)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings , Softwood Cuttings
Seed Collection: Collect seeds in late summer and early fall. Because dry capsules disperse their seed abruptly with a sudden ejection, it may be necessary to tie cloth bags around the clusters of capsules to catch the seeds.
Seed Treatment: Scarification may be necessary and can be accomplished by soaking the seeds in hot water (180-200 degrees). Soak in cooling water 24 hours. Stratify all seeds for 60-90 days at 41 degrees.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0500 Collected Mar. 28, 1992 in Bexar County by Lottie Millsaps

Bibliography

Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.
Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
Bibref 354 - Native & Naturalized Woody Plants of Austin & the Hill Country (1981) Lynch, D.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ceanothus herbaceus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ceanothus herbaceus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ceanothus herbaceus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-27
Research By: NPC

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