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desert ceanothus
Scientific Name: Ceanothus greggii var. perplexans
Family: Rhamnaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Ceanothus greggii: Desert Ceanothus
Ceanothus greggii, commonly known as desert ceanothus, is a shrub belonging to the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that Desert Ceanothus is a "heavily browsed, thorny shrub," which may pose a risk of physical injury to pets.
Considerations for Children
- The text mentions that Desert Ceanothus is a "heavily browsed, thorny shrub," which may pose a risk of physical injury to children.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Ceanothus greggii A. Gray
- Common Names: Desert ceanothus, Mountain Buckbrush, Gregg Ceanothus, Mountain Balm, Buckbrush, Wild Lilac, Red Root, Desert Buckthorn
- Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)
- Order: Rhamnales
- Variety: Ceanothus greggii var. franklinii S.L. Welsh – desert ceanothus
- Synonym: Mentions Ceanothus vestitus E. Greene (Mojave ceanothus) and Ceanothus pauciflorus as looking similar to Ceanothus fendleri.
- Synonym: Ceanothus greggii var. lanuginosa Jones
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the southwestern United States and California.
- Found outside of California.
- Specifically mentioned locations include the Tehachapi Mountains, the western transverse ranges, the White and Inyo ranges, and the desert mountains.
- Grows in pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush scrub.
- Commonly found on rocky and often brushy slopes above 2000 feet.
- Observed along the Boynton Canyon Trail near Sedona, Arizona.
Morphological Characteristics
- An intricately-branched, rounded shrub.
- Has short, rigid, grayish-white branches.
- Possesses tiny, opposite, leathery leaves.
- May form impenetrable thickets.
- Leaves of Ceanothus greggii are reticulately veined.
- Mentioned as a twiggy subshrub, 3 to 6 feet in height, with umbels of white flowers.
- Leaves are opposite, simple, evergreen, 1/3 to 3/4 inch long, oval to obovate, with entire or often toothed margins.
Ecological Role
- Associated with rocky and brushy slopes.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Heavily browsed.
- Attracts wildlife (based on a heading "Ceanothus greggii: Desert Ceanothus / Wild Lilac flowers fruit leaves wildlife").
Resources and Further Information
- Flora of North America (FNA)
- Dave's Garden
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Discover Life