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Jepson ceanothus
Scientific Name: Ceanothus jepsonii
Family: Rhamnaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Shrub
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Ceanothus jepsonii
Ceanothus jepsonii is a shrub belonging to the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae.
Common Names
- Musk brush
- Jepson ceanothus
- Jepson's Ceanothus
- Jepson Musk Brush
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that *Ceanothus* species have stipules that are knob-like, corky, and thick. While not explicitly dangerous, these features might be attractive to pets who like to chew, potentially leading to ingestion.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)
- Genus: Ceanothus
- Taxonomic Rank: Variety (referring to subspecies like Ceanothus jepsonii var. albiflorus)
- Synonym: Ceanothus jepsonii ssp. albiflorus (J.T. Howell) C.L. Schmidt
Distribution and Habitat
- Ceanothus jepsonii is native to California and is considered endemic to the region, meaning it is limited to that specific geographic area.
- One small area in Napa County, California, is specifically mentioned as a location where it grows as a wild plant.
- It can be found growing adjacent to serpentine endemic plants along Brim Road.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Ceanothus jepsonii is a shrub, typically reaching a mature height and width of approximately 2.5 feet (75 cm).
- Most species in the *Ceanothus* genus are shrubs or small trees.
- Leaves are generally opposite, though exceptions exist in related varieties (e.g., *Ceanothus megacarpus* var. *megacarpus*).
- It is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years.
Ecological Role
- The genus *Ceanothus* contains nitrogen-fixing species, contributing to soil nutrient enrichment.
Further Information
- Jepson Flora Project: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=18436
- Discover Life: Information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of *Ceanothus jepsonii* can be found on Discover Life's website.