Difference between revisions of "Ceanothus"

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{{Taxobox
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__NOTOC__{{Plantbox
| color = lightgreen
 
 
| name = ''Ceanothus''
 
| name = ''Ceanothus''
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| common_names =    <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->
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| growth_habit = ?  <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
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| high = ?  <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
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| wide =    <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
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| origin = ?  <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
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| poisonous =    <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
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| lifespan =    <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
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| exposure = ?  <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
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| water = ?  <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
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| features =    <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
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| hardiness =    <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
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| bloom =    <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
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| usda_zones = ?  <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
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| sunset_zones =    <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
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| color = IndianRed
 
| image = Ceanothus americanus.jpg
 
| image = Ceanothus americanus.jpg
| image_width = 240px
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| image_width = 240px   <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
 
| image_caption = ''Ceanothus americanus'' flowers
 
| image_caption = ''Ceanothus americanus'' flowers
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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| regnum = Plantae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
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| divisio = Magnoliophyta
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
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| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = [[Rosales]]
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| ordo = Rosales
| familia = [[Rhamnaceae]]
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| familia = Rhamnaceae
| genus = '''''Ceanothus'''''
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| genus = Ceanothus
| genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
 
| subdivision_ranks = Species
 
| subdivision = See text
 
 
}}
 
}}
[[Image:Ceanothus.jpg|thumb|''Ceanothus americanus'' (fruit left, flowers right)]]
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{{Inc|
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Ceanothus (ancient Greek name). Rhamnaceae. Ornamental woody plants grown for their profusely produced white, blue or pink flower-clusters.
  
'''''Ceanothus''''' [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] is a [[genus]] of about 50–60 species of [[shrub]]s or small [[tree]]s in the buckthorn family [[Rhamnaceae]]. The genus is confined to [[North America]], with the center of its distribution in [[California]] but some species (e.g. ''C. americanus'') in the eastern [[United States]] and southeast [[Canada]], and others (e.g. ''C. coeruleus'') extending as far south as [[Guatemala]]. Most are shrubs 0.5–3 m tall, but ''C. arboreus'' and ''C. thyrsiflorus'', both from California, can be small trees up to 6–7 m tall.
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Deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees: lvs. alternate or sometimes opposite, short-petioled. serrate or entire, usually 3 - nerved, with small stipules: fls. perfect, small. 5-merous, in small umbels forming panicles or racemes; sepals often incurved, colored; petals clawed, spreading or recurved; filaments slender; disk annular; ovary partly adnate to the calyx-tube, 3-celled; style 3-cleft: fr. a 3-celled drupe, dry at length and separating into 3 one- seeded dehiscent nutlets.— Nearly 50 species in N. Amer., chiefly in the Pacific coast region.
  
[[Image:Ceanothus flowers.jpg|left|thumb|Flowers of ''Ceanothus cuneatus'', at [[Pinnacles National Monument]], California]]
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These are free-flowering shrubs, some especially valuable for their late flowering period. Many of them are hardy only in the warmer temperate regions, but C. americanus, C. ovatus, and C. Fendleri are hardy North, while the numerous hybrids of C. americanus are only half hardy, and even if protected they are killed to the ground in the North, but the young shoots will usually flower the same season. The safest way, however, to have good free-flowering plants of these beautiful hybrids will be, in the North, to dig them up in fall, store them away in a frost-proof pit or cellar, and plant them out again in spring. Pruning of the late-flowering species will be of advantage; about one-half of last year's growth may be taken away. They grow in almost any soil, but best in a light and well-drained one, and most of the Californian species prefer a sunny position. Propagated by seeds sown in spring and by cuttings of mature wood in autumn, inserted in a cold- frame or greenhouse; softwood cuttings also grow readily if taken in early spring from forced plants. Sometimes increased by layers, and the varieties and hybrids by grafting on roots of C. americanus under glass in early spring; the cions must be fresh and with leaves, taken from plants kept in the greenhouse during the winter.{{SCH}}
The majority of the species are [[evergreen]], but the handful of species adapted to cold [[winter]]s are [[deciduous]]. The leaves are opposite or alternate (depending on species), small (typically 1–5 cm long), simple, and mostly with serrated margins. The flowers are white, blue, pale purple or pink, maturing into a dry, three-lobed seed capsule.
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}}
  
The Californian species are sometimes known as '''California-lilac''', but not surprisingly, the species found elsewhere have other common names, e.g. '''New Jersey Tea''' for ''C. americanus'' (as its leaves were used as a black tea substitute during colonial times).[http://teawiki.thenerdtank.com/wikka.php?wakka=JerseyTea] In garden use, most are simply called by their scientific names or an adaptation of the scientific name, e.g. '''Maritime Ceanothus''' for ''C. maritimus''.
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==Cultivation==
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{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
Many species are popular garden [[ornamental plant]]s, and dozens of [[hybrids]] and [[cultivar]]s have been selected, such as Flexible Ceanothus, ''Ceanothus × flexilis'' Greene ex McMinn (''C. cuneatus'' × ''C. prostratus'').
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===Propagation===
 
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Propagation of ''Ceanothus'' is by seed, following scarification and stratification. Seeds are soaked in water for 12 hours followed by chilling at 1 °C for one to three months. It can also sprout from roots and/or stems [2]. Seeds are stored in duff in large quantities. It is estimated that there are about two million seeds per acre in forest habitats [3]. Seed are dispersed propulsively from capsules and, it has been estimated, can remain viable for about a hundred years{{wp}}.
===Uses===
 
''Ceanothus'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including the [[Bucculatricidae|bucculatricid]] leaf-miners ''Bucculatrix anaticula'' and ''Bucculatrix ceanothiella'' and the [[Gelechiidae|gelechiid]] ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes ceanothiella]]'' which all feed exclusively on the genus. ''[[Chionodes|Chionodes occidentella]]'' is a [[phagy|polyphagous]] species which has been recorded on ''Ceanothus''.
 
  
''Ceanothus'' is also a good source of nutrition for [[deer]], specifically [[mule deer]] on the west coast.  However, the leaves are not as nutritious from late spring to early fall as they are in early spring.  Porcupines and quail have also been seen eating stems and seeds of these shrubs.  The leaves are a good source of protein and the stems and leaves have been found to contain a high amount of calcium [3].
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===Pests and diseases===
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{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
Other uses of ''Ceanothus'' include medicinal and food sources of Native American Indians.  [[Miwok]] Indians of California made baskets from Deer Brush branches [3]. ''C. integerrimus'' has been used by North American tribes to treat women who have suffered from a difficult birth [4]. Other ''Ceanothus'' species have also been used medicinally to treat high blood pressure and as a treatment to soothe mouth and throat ailments [1].
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==Species==
 
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;Selected species{{wp}}
Several members of this genus, including Ceanothus americanus, form a symbiotic relationship with soil micro-organisms, forming root nodules which fix atmospheric nitrogen. This nitrogen is available to other adjacent plants, and may play an important role in forest regeneration as it creates nutrient-rich patches in forest habitats.
 
 
 
===Propagation===
 
Propagation of ''Ceanothus'' is by seed, following scarification and stratification. Seeds are soaked in water for 12 hours followed by chilling at 1 °C for one to three months. It can also sprout from roots and/or stems [2]. Seeds are stored in duff in large quantities. It is estimated that there are about two million seeds per acre in forest habitats [3]. Seed are dispersed propulsively from capsules and, it has been estimated, can remain viable for about a hundred years.
 
 
 
;Selected species
 
 
* ''[[Ceanothus americanus]]'' L. - New Jersey Tea; Red Root
 
* ''[[Ceanothus americanus]]'' L. - New Jersey Tea; Red Root
 
* ''[[Ceanothus arboreus]]'' Greene - Feltleaf Ceanothus
 
* ''[[Ceanothus arboreus]]'' Greene - Feltleaf Ceanothus
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* ''[[Ceanothus verrucosus]]'' Nutt. - Barranca Brush
 
* ''[[Ceanothus verrucosus]]'' Nutt. - Barranca Brush
  
===References===
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{{Inc|
# [http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/scripts/detail.asp?spcode=CEAAME University of Wisconsin Stevens Point Plant Database: ''Ceanothus americanus'']
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C. africanus, Linn. (syn.Noltea Africana).―C. dentatus, Torr.& Gray. Low shrub:lvs. oblong, penninerved, dentate, glandular-papillate above, loosely hairy: fls. Blue, in peduncled clusters. Calif. F.S. 6:567. 2. B.H. 3:101.―C. dentatus var. floribundus, Trel. (C. floribundus, Hook.). Fl-clusters numerous, nearly sessile: lvs. smaller. B.M. 4806. F.S. 10:977. I.H. 7:238. B.H. 5:129.—C. foliosus, Parry. Low shrub: lvs. small, broadly elliptic, glandular-toothed, slightly hairy, pale or glaucous beneath: fls. deep blue, in numerous small clusters. Calif.—C. laevigatus, Douglas. Tall shrub: lvs. broadly elliptic, serrate, glabrous, glaucous beneath: fls. yellowish white, in large panicles. Calif.—C. microphyllus, Michx. Low shrub: lvs. very small, obovate or elliptic, nearly glabrous: fls. white, in small, short-peduncled clusters.—C. papillosus, Torr. & Gray. Low shrub: lvs. narrow-oblong, dentate, glandular-papillate above, villous beneath: fls. deep blue, in peduncled, axillary oblong clusters. Calif. B.M. 4815. F.S. 6:567, 1. P.F.G. 1, p. 74 R.H. 1850:321.—C. Parryi, Trel. Large shrub: lvs. elliptic or ovate, denticulate, cobwebby beneath: fls. deep blue, in peduncled, narrow panicles. Calif.—C. rigidus, Nutt. Rigid, much-branched shrub: lvs. opposite, cuneate-obovate, denticulate, usually glabrous, small: fls. blue, in small, nearly sessile, axillary clusters. Calif. B.M. 4660 (as C. verrucosus) and 4664. J.F. 3:316; 4:348.—C. verrucosus, Nutt. Low shrub: lvs. mostly alternate, roundish obovate, emarginated, denticulate, nearly glabrous, small: fls. white, in small, axillary clusters along the branches, Calif.—C. verrucosus, Hook.(syn. C. rigidus.{{SCH}}
# [http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Ceanothus+integerrimus Plants for a Future: ''Ceanothus integerrimus''].
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}}
# [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ceaint/botanical_and_ecological_characteristics.html Fire Effects Information: ''Ceanothus integerrimus'']
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# Moerman, D. (1988). ''Native American Ethnobotany''. Timber Press, Oregon.
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==Gallery==
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
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<gallery>
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Image:Ceanothus flowers.jpg|Flowers of ''Ceanothus cuneatus''
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Image:Ceanothus.jpg|''Ceanothus americanus'' (fruit left, flowers right)
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Image:Upload.png| photo 3
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</gallery>
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==References==
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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==External links==
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*{{wplink}}
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{{stub}}
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[[Category:Categorize]]
  
{{Commons|Ceanothus}}
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<!--  in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions!    -->
[[Category:Rhamnaceae]]
 
[[Category:Flora_of_California]]
 

Latest revision as of 05:04, 17 June 2009


Ceanothus americanus flowers


Plant Characteristics
Origin: ?
Cultivation
Exposure: ?"?" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property.
Water: ?"?" is not in the list (wet, moist, moderate, dry, less when dormant) of allowed values for the "Water" property.
Scientific Names

Rhamnaceae >

Ceanothus >



Read about Ceanothus in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Ceanothus (ancient Greek name). Rhamnaceae. Ornamental woody plants grown for their profusely produced white, blue or pink flower-clusters.

Deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees: lvs. alternate or sometimes opposite, short-petioled. serrate or entire, usually 3 - nerved, with small stipules: fls. perfect, small. 5-merous, in small umbels forming panicles or racemes; sepals often incurved, colored; petals clawed, spreading or recurved; filaments slender; disk annular; ovary partly adnate to the calyx-tube, 3-celled; style 3-cleft: fr. a 3-celled drupe, dry at length and separating into 3 one- seeded dehiscent nutlets.— Nearly 50 species in N. Amer., chiefly in the Pacific coast region.

These are free-flowering shrubs, some especially valuable for their late flowering period. Many of them are hardy only in the warmer temperate regions, but C. americanus, C. ovatus, and C. Fendleri are hardy North, while the numerous hybrids of C. americanus are only half hardy, and even if protected they are killed to the ground in the North, but the young shoots will usually flower the same season. The safest way, however, to have good free-flowering plants of these beautiful hybrids will be, in the North, to dig them up in fall, store them away in a frost-proof pit or cellar, and plant them out again in spring. Pruning of the late-flowering species will be of advantage; about one-half of last year's growth may be taken away. They grow in almost any soil, but best in a light and well-drained one, and most of the Californian species prefer a sunny position. Propagated by seeds sown in spring and by cuttings of mature wood in autumn, inserted in a cold- frame or greenhouse; softwood cuttings also grow readily if taken in early spring from forced plants. Sometimes increased by layers, and the varieties and hybrids by grafting on roots of C. americanus under glass in early spring; the cions must be fresh and with leaves, taken from plants kept in the greenhouse during the winter.CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

Do you have cultivation info on this plant? Edit this section!

Propagation

Propagation of Ceanothus is by seed, following scarification and stratification. Seeds are soaked in water for 12 hours followed by chilling at 1 °C for one to three months. It can also sprout from roots and/or stems [2]. Seeds are stored in duff in large quantities. It is estimated that there are about two million seeds per acre in forest habitats [3]. Seed are dispersed propulsively from capsules and, it has been estimated, can remain viable for about a hundred yearswp.

Pests and diseases

Do you have pest and disease info on this plant? Edit this section!

Species

Selected specieswp


Read about Ceanothus in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

C. africanus, Linn. (syn.Noltea Africana).―C. dentatus, Torr.& Gray. Low shrub:lvs. oblong, penninerved, dentate, glandular-papillate above, loosely hairy: fls. Blue, in peduncled clusters. Calif. F.S. 6:567. 2. B.H. 3:101.―C. dentatus var. floribundus, Trel. (C. floribundus, Hook.). Fl-clusters numerous, nearly sessile: lvs. smaller. B.M. 4806. F.S. 10:977. I.H. 7:238. B.H. 5:129.—C. foliosus, Parry. Low shrub: lvs. small, broadly elliptic, glandular-toothed, slightly hairy, pale or glaucous beneath: fls. deep blue, in numerous small clusters. Calif.—C. laevigatus, Douglas. Tall shrub: lvs. broadly elliptic, serrate, glabrous, glaucous beneath: fls. yellowish white, in large panicles. Calif.—C. microphyllus, Michx. Low shrub: lvs. very small, obovate or elliptic, nearly glabrous: fls. white, in small, short-peduncled clusters.—C. papillosus, Torr. & Gray. Low shrub: lvs. narrow-oblong, dentate, glandular-papillate above, villous beneath: fls. deep blue, in peduncled, axillary oblong clusters. Calif. B.M. 4815. F.S. 6:567, 1. P.F.G. 1, p. 74 R.H. 1850:321.—C. Parryi, Trel. Large shrub: lvs. elliptic or ovate, denticulate, cobwebby beneath: fls. deep blue, in peduncled, narrow panicles. Calif.—C. rigidus, Nutt. Rigid, much-branched shrub: lvs. opposite, cuneate-obovate, denticulate, usually glabrous, small: fls. blue, in small, nearly sessile, axillary clusters. Calif. B.M. 4660 (as C. verrucosus) and 4664. J.F. 3:316; 4:348.—C. verrucosus, Nutt. Low shrub: lvs. mostly alternate, roundish obovate, emarginated, denticulate, nearly glabrous, small: fls. white, in small, axillary clusters along the branches, Calif.—C. verrucosus, Hook.(syn. C. rigidus.CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

References

External links