Ceanothus arboreus
Feltleaf ceanothus, Feltleaf Ceanothus
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Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Native
Ceanothus arboreus (Feltleaf ceanothus) is a native California shrub / tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by . Tree form and large serrated leaves diagnostic.
Feltleaf ceanothus is a California native tree found in the Channel Islands at elevations of 60 to 580 meters in chaparral and oak woodland habitats. Flowering from February to May, this plant produces blue flowers in compact raceme-like clusters 5 to 8 centimeters long. Growing as a multi-stemmed tree up to 7 meters tall with flexible brown twigs, it forms an attractive woodland shrub with distinctive foliage. Its thick, leathery leaves are widely ovate to elliptic, dark green on top, pale green underneath, with 35 to 65 gland-tipped serrate teeth along the margins. The fruit is a sticky, black, three-ridged capsule approximately 5 to 8 millimeters wide.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species. Tree form and large serrated leaves diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Slopes, chaparral, oak woodland
Elevation: 60-580 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Ventura, Alameda
Outside California: Baja California (Guadalupe Island)
Bloom period
Ceanothus arboreus blooms Feb-May.
How to tell it apart
vs Rhamnus: Ceanothus has showy blue/white/pink flowers in dense clusters; Rhamnus has tiny inconspicuous greenish flowers.; vs Quercus: Ceanothus has showy flower clusters and small leaves; Quercus has acorns and distinctive lobed or toothed oak leaves.; vs Baccharis: Ceanothus has individual flowers with 5 separate petals; Baccharis has composite flower heads with tiny disc flowers.; vs Cercocarpus: Ceanothus has blue/white/pink flowers in clusters; Cercocarpus has tiny flowers with no petals and feathery fruiting tails.; vs Adenostoma: Ceanothus flowers have 5 distinct colored petals; Adenostoma has tiny white flowers and needle-like clustered leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ceanothus arboreus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus arboreus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus arboreus bloom?
Ceanothus arboreus blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Ceanothus arboreus grow?
Ceanothus arboreus occurs in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Mateo, Ventura, Alameda, at elevations of 60-580 m.
What plant family does Ceanothus arboreus belong to?
Ceanothus arboreus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
What habitat does Ceanothus arboreus grow in?
Ceanothus arboreus grows in Slopes, chaparral, oak woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.