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Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Carpenteria californica (Bush anemone)
McMahan, Linda

Carpenteria californica Torr.

Bush anemone, Tree anemone, Tree-anemone

Hydrangeaceae (Hydrangea Family)

USDA Symbol: caca17

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

An evergreen shrub, 4-8 ft. by 5 ft., with narrow, dark-green, glossy leaves. The showy, single, 2-3 in. wide, anemone-like flowers are fragrant and glistening white.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate
Inflorescence: Cyme
Size Notes: Height 6-15 feet, spread 4-6 feet.
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Flower white with yellow stamens.

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Fresno Co., CA
Native Habitat: Dry, wooded, granite ridges & slopes; 1500-4000 ft.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, granitic soils.
Conditions Comments: Do not overwater or overfeed this plant as it will grow rank with too much care. Deer generally ignore bush anemone.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Introduced to cultivation around 1875.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Softwood Cuttings
Description: Seed germination without treatment is excellent. Sow thinly. Seedling damp off easily. This species may also be increased using suckers or cuttings from young stems.
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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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