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Ceanothus integerrimus
Ceanothus integerrimus Hook. & Arn.
Deerbrush
Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
Synonym(s): Ceanothus andersonii, Ceanothus californicus, Ceanothus integerrimus var. californicus, Ceanothus integerrimus var. macrothyrsus, Ceanothus integerrimus var. puberulus
USDA Symbol: CEIN3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A loosely branched, 3-10 ft. shrub with showy flowers; glossy, light-green, semi-deciduous leaves; and yellowish branches. Flower clusters are up to 6 in. long and are made up of small white to dark blue or pink flowers. An openly branched shrub with thin leaves, gray bark, and tiny, white or pale blue flowers in conical clusters at ends of flexible twigs.
In the spring Deer Brush covers hillsides with a mixture of white and pale blue and fills the air with its sweet, spicy honey scent.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , BlueBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NM , OR , WANative Distribution: Ventura to Santa Cruz Cos., CA; extending n. to e. WA as var. macrothyrsus
Native Habitat: Dry, mountain slopes; high elevation grasslands
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Light, well-drained soils.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Glossy leaves.Use Other: Shoots used in basketry by indigenous Californians.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Nectar Source: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSupports Conservation Biological Control
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Most Ceanothus spp. come well from seed, however with this species, the recovery of the deep lilac color from seed is a longshot. To retain the desired color, propagate with cuttings which usually root well.Seed Collection: 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.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Bibliography
Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. KatSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Ceanothus integerrimus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Ceanothus integerrimus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ceanothus integerrimus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-04Research By: TWC Staff