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Rhamnaceae
New Jersey Tea
Ceanothus americanus
Independence and liberty.
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
- Genus
- Ceanothus
- Native to
- Eastern North America
- Bloom season
- Summer
- Type
- deciduous shrub
- Height
- 2-4 feet
- Sunlight
- full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- well-drained, rocky
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 4-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- During the American Revolution, the dried leaves were used as a tea substitute when British tea was boycotted.
- Despite its modest size, new jersey tea has an enormous root system that can weigh up to 60 pounds and extend deep into the soil.
- It is a nitrogen-fixing plant that improves soil fertility through symbiotic bacteria in its root nodules.
- The fluffy white flower clusters attract an incredible diversity of insects, making it one of the best native pollinator plants.
- Native Americans used root bark decoctions to treat respiratory ailments, fevers, and digestive problems.
Color meanings
0
independence
1
self-reliance
2
patriotism