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Jersey tea

Scientific Name: Ceanothus herbaceus

Family: Rhamnaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: IL (redroot), IN (prairie redroot), KY (prairie re

       

New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)

Ceanothus americanus, commonly known as New Jersey tea, is a native shrub found in North America. Other common names include Jersey tea ceanothus, red root, Wild Snowball, Mountain-sweet, and Walpole Tea. Native Americans referred to it as "kitki manitu" (Algonquian languages), "u?pá? tawošt?" (Lakhota), and "tabe-hi" (Omaha-Ponca).

Considerations for Pets

  • This shrub grows up to 4 feet tall.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Ceanothus americanus
  • Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)
  • Genus: Ceanothus
  • Species: americanus
  • Synonyms: Red Root

Distribution and Habitat

Ceanothus americanus is native to North America, particularly the eastern US and the Chicago area. It thrives in prairies and glades.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It is a low, upright, deciduous shrub, typically growing 2-3 feet tall, but can reach 4 feet.
  • The plant has pubescent leaves, giving it a grayish cast.
  • It features small white flowers that bloom from June to August. These flowers are sometimes lilac-scented.
  • It is a compact, dense, rounded shrub that tillers at the base.
  • The large root is red inside and covered with brownish or reddish bark.

Ecological Role

  • It is a valuable landscaping plant that attracts hummingbirds and pollinators.
  • The plant is browsed by rabbits, elk, and deer, and provides food for turkey and quail.
  • Being a prairie plant with deep roots, New Jersey tea is well-adapted to persist after fires and fixes nitrogen.

Quirky Facts

  • New Jersey Tea wasn't always called that; it was known as Red Root Tea until the Boston Tea Party.
  • During the American Revolutionary War, colonists used the dried leaves of New Jersey Tea as a substitute for expensive Chinese tea.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Attracts a variety of pollinators.
  • Serves as a food source for several animals including rabbits, elk, deer, turkey, and quail.
  • The New Jersey Tea Inchworm (Apodrepanulatrix liberaria) feeds on this plant.

Additional Information

  • Further information can be found in the PLANTS Database and WebMD.
  • Dave's Garden offers gardening tips and ideas.