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Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Ceanothus leucodermis

Ceanothus leucodermis Greene

Chaparral Whitethorn, Jackbrush

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: cele2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A usually 4-8 ft. high, evergreen shrub with white or light-green bark and clusters of white to blue flowers. Stems are spreading and intricately branched.

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Notes: Up to about 12 feet tall, often shorter.

Bloom Information

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

Distribution

USA: CA
Native Distribution: Mts. of s. CA, n. to Alamedo & Eldorado Cos.
Native Habitat: Dry, rocky slopes below 6000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: The extensive root system of this plant is excellent for soil stabilization.

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.

Propagation

Description: Most Ceanothus spp. come well from seed. Cuttings of this species may also be successful.
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:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

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.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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