Hairy Ceanothus
Ceanothus oliganthus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © thrasherbird (iNaturalist #10877416)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus:
- Ceanothus
- Species:
- Ceanothus oliganthus
- USDA Symbol:
- CEOL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 400 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
ceanothus leafminer moth (Tischeria ceanothi), Chionodes occidentella, Drepanulatrix monicaria, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Periploca ceanothiella, Recurvaria ceanothiella, Recurvaria francisca, Stigmella ceanothi, Tischeria ambigua, Afranius Duskywing (Erynnis afranius), Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire. Seeds may also germinate more readily after fire due to heat scarification.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to chaparral and coastal scrub areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from hot water treatment or scarification followed by cold stratification. Smoke treatment may also enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are treated with dry heat at 116 C for 5 minutes
Establishment: C. oliganthus is found within mattoral vegetation association of California. Germination was greater in dark than light.
Source: npn.rngr.net