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Rhamnaceae
California Lilac
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus
Western spirit.
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus
- Ceanothus
- Native to
- California, Oregon
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- shrub
- Height
- 5-20 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- dry, well-drained, rocky or sandy
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 8-10
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Despite the common name, Ceanothus is not related to true lilac (Syringa) — the name refers only to the superficially similar flower clusters.
- It is one of the few non-legumes capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen through root nodule bacteria, enriching the soils of California chaparral.
- The genus contains over 50 species native almost exclusively to California, forming a remarkable example of regional plant diversification.
- Ceanothus flowers were used by some Native Californian tribes to make soap — the blossoms lather in water due to saponins.
- After wildfires, Ceanothus is among the first plants to resprout, helping to restore nitrogen-depleted chaparral soils.
Color meanings
0
exuberance
1
local pride
2
natural abundance