Ceanothus confusus
Rincon ridge ceanothus, Rincon Ridge Ceanothus
(c) John Hibbard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by John Hibbard · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Ceanothus confusus (Rincon ridge ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by . Geographic restriction and folded, toothed leaves diagnostic.
Rincon ridge ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern North Coast Ranges in Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties, growing on volcanic slopes, chaparral, and pine/oak woodland at elevations of 75 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces blue to purple flowers in compact umbel-like clusters 1 to 2 centimeters long. Growing as a low, mound-like shrub 20 to 50 centimeters tall with spreading to ascending stems and reddish-brown twigs, it forms a distinctive compact shape. Its opposite evergreen leaves are elliptic to narrowly obovate, 10 to 20 millimeters long, with shiny green surfaces, slightly wavy margins, and 3 to 9 sharp teeth in the distal two-thirds of the leaf. The fruit is 4 to 6 millimeters wide with slender horns 1.5 to 2.5 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species. Geographic restriction and folded, toothed leaves diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Volcanic slopes, chaparral, pine/oak woodland
Elevation: 75-1100 m
Bloom period
Ceanothus confusus blooms Feb-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1
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 confusus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus confusus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus confusus bloom?
Ceanothus confusus blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Ceanothus confusus belong to?
Ceanothus confusus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus confusus rare or endangered?
Ceanothus confusus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Ceanothus confusus grow in?
Ceanothus confusus grows in Volcanic slopes, chaparral, pine/oak woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.