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snowbrush ceanothus

Scientific Name: Ceanothus velutinus

Family: Rhamnaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Tree, Shrub

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Snowbrush Ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus)

Ceanothus velutinus, commonly known as Snowbrush ceanothus, Red Root, and Tobacco brush, is a shrub belonging to the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae).

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is fragrant and sticky, which might attract pets.
  • Small mammals and birds eat the seeds of snowbrush ceanothus.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is fragrant and sticky, which might attract children.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Ceanothus velutinus Douglas ex Hook.
  • Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)
  • Common Names: Snowbrush ceanothus, Red Root, Tobacco brush, Snowbrush, Tobacco-brush, Mountain balm, Buckbrush, Greasewood, Wild lilac, Tobacco ceanothus.
  • Symbol: CEVE

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the mountain West, including the coastal ranges of California, Oregon, and Washington.
  • Occurs on mid to high elevation sites.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Evergreen shrub growing to 2.5 meters (approximately 8 feet 2 inches) tall.
  • Erect to spreading shrub with brown, round, and smooth stems.
  • Leaves are shiny, evergreen, strongly fragrant, sticky, and widely oval in shape.
  • Multi-stemmed, spreading evergreen shrub with a dense, round crown.
  • Leaves are oval-shaped, thick, and shiny.

Ecological Role

  • Nitrogen-fixing shrub, meaning it can convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by plants.
  • Some of the nitrogen fixed is used by the plant itself, while some can be utilized by other plants growing nearby.
  • More nitrogen may be stored in mature snowbrush stands than in stands of other shrubs.
  • Foliage provides year-round browse for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer.

Traditional and Other Uses

  • Smoke from burning the plant has been used as an insecticide to kill bedbugs.
  • Great Basin Indians used an infusion of the leaves for diagnosis (other, unspecified uses).

Quirky Facts

  • The plant's leaves are described as "strongly fragrant" and "sticky."

Further Information

  • USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
  • Garden Guides: Offers plant information, identification, uses, and gardening tips.