Deciduous shrub reaching 3-10 ft. tall with white fragrant flower clusters, blooming April to September. Occurs on dry to relatively moist well-drained soils of forest openings, clear-cuts, rocky hillsides and slopes, preferring more moisture than most other Ceanothus species; up to 5,000 ft. elevation. Persists on soils with low organic content. Able to fix large amounts of nitrogen. Establishes primarily by seed but also by sprouting after disturbance events such as fire, landslide or logging. Seeds germinate best following fire. Important food and cover for wildlife, especially as winter browse for elk. Provides seeds and cover for numerous birds and small mammals. Larval host of the Pale swallowtail butterfly and a nectar source for Johnson’s hairstreak butterfly.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Rhamnaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Multiple stem

Mature Height: 3-10 ft.

Bloom Color: White

Fruit/Seed Color: 

Bloom Period: Mid Spring

Annual Precipitation: 13+ in.

Drought Tolerance: Intolerant

Shade Tolerance: Intermediate

Elevation:  ft.

Wetland Indicator Status:

Fire Resistance: Yes

Fire Tolerance:

Nitrogen fixation:

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Yes

Medium Texture: Yes

Fine Texture: No

Salinity Tolerance: None

CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

pH Range:

SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 131,900

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall/Winter

Days to Germination: