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desert ceanothus
Scientific Name: Ceanothus greggii
Family: Rhamnaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Ceanothus greggii (Desert Ceanothus)
Ceanothus greggii, commonly known as Desert Ceanothus, is a fascinating shrub belonging to the buckthorn family.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant is described as a heavily browsed, thorny shrub.
Considerations for Children
- The plant is described as a heavily browsed, thorny shrub.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Ceanothus greggii A. Gray
- Common Names: Desert Ceanothus, Mountain Buckbrush, Gregg Ceanothus, Mountain Balm, Buckbrush, Wild Lilac, Red Root.
- Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
- Order: Rhamnales
- Genus: Ceanothus L.
- Taxonomic Rank: Species. Variety: Ceanothus greggii var. franklinii S.L. Welsh
- Synonyms: Desert Buckthorn, Desert Buckbrush
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the southwestern United States and California.
- Found outside of California but confined to specific regions.
- Specific locations include the Tehachapi Mountains, the western transverse ranges, the White and Inyo ranges, the desert mountains, pinyon-juniper woodland, and sagebrush scrub.
- Often found on rocky and brushy slopes above 2000 feet.
Morphological Characteristics
- Intricately-branched, rounded shrub.
- Short, rigid, grayish-white branches.
- Tiny, opposite, leathery leaves.
- Can form impenetrable thickets.
Quirky Facts
- The leaves of Ceanothus fendleri are conspicuously three-veined from the base, while those of Ceanothus greggii are reticulately veined, a subtle but distinct botanical difference.
Further Information
- Flora of North America (FNA)
- Dave's Garden
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Discover Life
- Ecology, distribution, occurrence, ecological characteristics, fire information at http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ce