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Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius

Lyonothamnus floribundus A. Gray ssp. aspleniifolius (Greene) P.H. Raven

Fernleaf Catalina Ironwood, Catalina Ironwood

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s): Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius, Lyonothamnus floribundus var. aspleniifolius

USDA Symbol: LYFLA

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A slender evergreen tree that can have a single, straight trunk or be branched from the base and shrub-like. It grows quickly from 30-50 ft. and maintains a good form. The exfoliating, red-brown bark; glossy, fern-like, divided leaves; and large, terminal clusters of white flowers with yellow centers are all attractive landscape features.

The genus name, meaning "Lyon's shrub," honors the discoverer, William Scrugham Lyon (1852-1916), a U.S. horticulturist and forester.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Inflorescence: Panicle
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 50 feet tall.
Fruit: Aggregated follicles.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Channel Islands, CA
Native Habitat: Dry slopes & bluffs below 500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Description: Well-drained soils with at least 15 in. precip./yr.

Propagation

Description: Propagation by seed is fast.
Seed Treatment: Seeds germinate without pretreatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA

Bibliography

Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 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 Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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