Ceanothus cyaneus

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Ceanothus cyaneus
Ceanothus cyaneus 3.jpg
Status TNC G2.svg
Imperiled  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Ceanothus
Species:
C. cyaneus
Binomial name
Ceanothus cyaneus

Ceanothus cyaneus is a species of flowering shrub in the genus Ceanothus known commonly as the San Diego buckbrush and Lakeside ceanothus. This species is found in the Peninsular Ranges of San Diego County, California, and known from one occurrence in Baja California. It is characterized by brilliant blue flowers, glossy green foliage, and is regarded as one of the most beautiful members of the genus. [2]

Contents

Description

Ceanothus cyaneus Ceanothus cyaneus 2.jpg
Ceanothus cyaneus

This plant is an open, evergreen shrub reaching less than 3 m in height. The stems are ascending to erect, with flexible, light-green twigs. The leaves are arranged alternately, with scale-like stipules. The leaf petiole is 2 to 6 mm long, while the leaf blade is 14 to 45 mm long and 15 to 20 mm wide. The leaves are shaped ovate to elliptic, colored dark green and smooth (lacking hair) on the upper surface of the leaf, while the bottom side of the leaf is colored pale green with hairy veins. The margin of the leaves may be more or less serrate, with 23 to 58 teeth. The inflorescence is 5 to 30 cm long, with deep or bright blue flowers. The fruit is 3 to 5 mm wide. The plants flower from April to June. [3] [4]

Characteristics

The twigs of this species are papillate (bearing small protuberances, papillae) not thornlike, and the leaf blade has a length that is less than twice the width. The flowers are a very distinctive brilliant blue. Compared to other local species like Ceanothus tomentosus , this species has larger leaves and does not have the conspicuous black glands on the teethed edges of the leaf margin. The leaves are also almost glabrous, unlike both Ceanothus tomentosus and Ceanothus oliganthus . The twigs are flexible, and not rigid like on Ceanothus leucodermis. [3] [5]

Distribution and habitat

This species is distributed throughout part of San Diego County, California in the United States and has one historical occurrence in Baja California, Mexico. In San Diego County, it is found in the inland chaparral on the Peninsular Range foothills near the communities of Lakeside and Crest. [5] This plant occurs in dense, almost impenetrable chaparral on igneous rock and rocky, coarse sandy loams. In Baja California, a single historical collection is known from near the Cerro Coronel, in between Tijuana and La Mision. [6]

Uses

This species was introduced into cultivation in California by Theodore Payne. [7] It requires good drainage, must be kept dry during summer, and is not tolerant of frost. [8]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Rhus integrifolia</i> Species of shrub

Rhus integrifolia, also known as lemonade sumac, lemonade berry, or lemonadeberry, is a shrub to small tree. It is native to the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges and the South Coast regions of Southern California. This extends from Santa Barbara County and the Channel Islands to San Diego County and extending into north-central Pacific coastal Baja California and its offshore islands such as Cedros Island.

<i>Ceanothus integerrimus</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Malosma</i> Genus of trees

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<i>Ornithostaphylos</i> Genus of flowering plants

Ornithostaphylos is a monotypic plant genus which contains the single species Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia, commonly known as the Baja California birdbush or Baja California manzanita. A large, evergreen shrub in the heather family, this species is near-endemic to northwestern Baja California, with a small population just north of the border in San Ysidro, California. It produces a much-branched inflorescence of white, urn-shaped flowers, and has leathery leaves that appear opposite or in whorls. These characteristics separate it from its close relatives in the region, which include manzanitas (Arctostaphylos), summer holly (Comarostaphylis) and mission manzanita (Xylococcus).

<i>Ceanothus crassifolius</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus crassifolius is a species of flowering shrub known by the common name hoaryleaf ceanothus. This Ceanothus is found throughout the coastal mountain ranges of the southern half of California, and its range extends into Baja California.

<i>Cneoridium</i> North American genus of plants

Cneoridium is a monotypic genus in the citrus family which contains the single species Cneoridium dumosum, commonly known as bushrue or coast spice bush. As a perennial, evergreen shrub, Cneoridium is native to the coast of southern California and Baja California, thriving in hot, dry conditions. This plant is characterized by a distinctive citrusy aroma and small, white flowers that appear from winter to spring. The flowers eventually become round berries that resemble a miniature version of the common citrus.

<i>Lepechinia ganderi</i> Species of plant

Lepechinia ganderi is a rare species of perennial shrub in the mint family known by the common name San Diego pitcher sage or Gander's pitcher sage. An aromatic plant with white to lavender flowers, this species is only known from southern San Diego County in California and a small portion of Baja California, occurring on chaparral or coastal sage scrub in metavolcanic soils. Because of its limited range, it is under threat from growing urbanization and increased fire frequency.

<i>Ceanothus spinosus</i> Species of tree

Ceanothus spinosus, with the common names greenbark and redheart, is a species of Ceanothus. It is native to southern California and northern Baja California, where it grows in the scrub and chaparral of the coastal mountain ranges.

<i>Xylococcus bicolor</i> Tree or shrub from North America

Xylococcus is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the heather family which contains the single species Xylococcus bicolor, commonly known as the mission manzanita. It is a burl-forming, evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and smooth dark reddish bark. From December to February, white to pink urn-shaped flowers adorn the foliage, often attracting hummingbird pollinators. It is native to southern California and the Baja California Peninsula, south to the Sierra de la Giganta. There is growing concern over the future of this plant, referred to as the "queen of the elfin forest, " as it may possibly lose up to 88% of its habitat and its wild seedlings are failing to survive more than a full year.

<i>Ceanothus pauciflorus</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus pauciflorus, known by the common name Mojave ceanothus, is a species of flowering shrub in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae. It is native to the Southwestern United States and Mexico, where it grows primarily in shrubland communities at moderate to high elevations. It is characterized by oppositely arranged leaves, corky stipules and white flowers. It was formerly known as Ceanothus greggii.

<i>Ceanothus leucodermis</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus leucodermis, with the common names chaparral whitethorn or chaparral white thorn, is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae. This Ceanothus is an importance browse for several types of ungulate, such as the mule deer and bighorn sheep, who prefer the new growth and shoots to the older, spiny parts.

<i>Ceanothus oliganthus</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus oliganthus is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae known by the common name hairy ceanothus or hairy-leaf ceanothus.

<i>Ceanothus parvifolius</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus parvifolius is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae known by the common name littleleaf ceanothus or littleleaf whitethorn. This deciduous plant is characterized by its blue flowers and flat topped habit, and is endemic to the Sierra Nevada of California, where it grows on mountain flats and coniferous forest.

<i>Ceanothus tomentosus</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus tomentosus, with the common name woollyleaf ceanothus, is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae. It is characterized by pale-blue to deep blue flowers and wooly leaves. It is native to California and Baja California, having an unusual disjunct distribution in the Peninsular Ranges and the north-central Sierra Nevada.

<i>Ceanothus verrucosus</i> Species of flowering plant

Ceanothus verrucosus is a species of shrub in the family Rhamnaceae known by the common names wart-stem ceanothus, barranca brush, coast lilac and white coast ceanothus. It is endemic to northwestern Baja California and San Diego County, where it grows in coastal sage scrub and coastal succulent scrub habitats. It is considered a rare species north of the international border, as most of the valuable coastal land that hosts this plant in the San Diego area has been claimed for development. In California, several extant populations still remain scattered around the region, such as one protected at Torrey Pines.

<i>Lonicera subspicata</i> Species of honeysuckle

Lonicera subspicata is a species of honeysuckle known by the common name southern honeysuckle. It is native to Baja California, California, and northern Baja California Sur, where it is known from several areas in mountain and coastal habitat, particularly chaparral. It is a vining shrub which usually climbs on other plants for support.

<i>Ribes canthariforme</i> Species of currant

Ribes canthariforme is a rare species of currant commonly known as the Moreno currant. It is characterized by pink to red flowers, a dense inflorescence, and a lack of nodal spines. A little-known endemic to the mountains of San Diego County, it is usually found growing the shade of massive boulders in the chaparral. Although the rarity and small numbers of this plant is a conservation concern, it is usually found in remote areas and is well hidden enough to be safe from most threats.

<i>Clinopodium chandleri</i> Species of flowering plant

Clinopodium chandleri is an uncommon species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name San Miguel savory. It is native to northern Baja California and several areas of southern California, where it can be found in mountain chaparral. A fragrant plant with white flowers, it is one of southern California's rarest shrubs.

<i>Diplacus puniceus</i> Species of flowering plant

Diplacus puniceus, commonly known as the red bush monkeyflower, San Diego monkey flower, or mission diplacus, is a species of perennial shrub native to coastal southern California and northern Baja California. It is characterized by a relatively small and broad corolla for Diplacus, a lack of glandular hairs, and dark orange or red flowers, adapted to hummingbird pollinators.

References

  1. "Ceanothus cyaneus". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. 2022. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. Van Rensselaer, Maunsell; McMinn, Howard (1942). Ceanothus. The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. ASIN   B0013AXNQO.
  3. 1 2 Burge, Dylan O. (2020). "Ceanothus cyaneus". Jepson eFlora (8 ed.). Jepson Flora Project. Archived from the original on 2016-03-14. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  4. Schmidt, Clifford L.; Wilken, Dieter H. "Ceanothus cyaneus". Flora of North America. 12. Flora of North America Association. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 Reiser, Craig H. (2001). Rare Plants of San Diego County (PDF). Aquafir Press.
  6. Rebman, J. P.; Gibson, J.; Rich, K. (2016). "Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Baja California, Mexico" (PDF). San Diego Society of Natural History. 45: 241.
  7. "Ceanothus cyaneus". Native Plant Database. Theodore Payne Foundation. 2010. Archived from the original on 2020-08-06. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  8. Wilson, Bert (2013). "Ceanothus cyaneus, San Diego Mtn. Lilac". Las Pilitas Nursery. Archived from the original on 2015-03-31. Retrieved 20 January 2022.