Blueblossom

Blueblossom is a large, leafy shrub reaching from 3-30 feet tall. The appearance of this plant varies greatly across its natural range, ranging in appearance from a small tree to a low-lying shrub. The leaves and flowers, however, have a fairly constant appearance. The shiny, dark green leaves are rounded and ovate with deep veined grooves. The plant’s small 5 petalled flowers bloom in dense, puffy clusters of white, light to dark blue, or purple. The flower plumes are rounded around the tip and up to 8 inches long.

Basic Information

• Member of the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae), which includes its close relative Buck Brush (Ceanothus cuneatus)

• Evergreen shrub

• There are two recognized varieties:

  • Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. thyrsiflorus

  • Ceanothus thyrsiflorus var. griseus

Habitat

• Native to California and Oregon

• Found primarily on the slopes and canyons of chaparral, redwood forest, and mixed woodland ecosystems along the Coastal Ranges

  • Common along highways

Ecological Role

• The flower are attractive to insects, especially bees and butterflies

• Plants in the Ceanothus genus are host plants to the butterflies Spring Azure, Echo Blue, Pacuvius Duskywing, California Tortoiseshell, Pale Swallowtail, and Hedgerow Hairstreak

• Elk and deer eat the foliage

• seed pods are an important food source for birds and small mammals

• Forms dense thickets after fires and logging

Reproduction

• Blooms from winter to spring

• Seeds are dispersed when the capsule explodes

  • Fire is required to germinate the seeds

Alternative Names

• Blue blossom ceanothus

Historical Uses

• The Polikiah used a decoction of the leaves and twigs to wash newborn babies

• The Kashaya Pomo used the flowers in dance wreaths during the Strawberry Festival, and mixed with water as a soap for washing hands, face and body

Additional Information

• Most popular species of Ceanothus in landscaping applications, with numerous cultivars and varieties for gardening

• The plant’s scientific name, meaning "thyrse-flower," refers to the flower cluster, which appears like the Roman god of wine’s thrysus — a leaf and berry covered staff