Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis
Lompoc ceanothus, Lompoc Ceanothus
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Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis (Lompoc ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by . Coastal sandy habitat, clustered leaves, and pale blue flowers diagnostic.
Lompoc ceanothus is a California native shrub ranked 4.2 by CNPS, found in the southern Central Coast region of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in sandy coastal chaparral habitats at elevations below 275 meters. Flowering from February to May, this shrub produces pale blue to lavender flowers in distinctive clusters. Growing erect and somewhat open with arched brown twigs to approximately 2.5 meters tall, it develops an intriguing branching structure. Its leaves are widely varied, with clustered blades ranging from 5 to 11 millimeters long, broadly obovate and often with truncate or notched tips. The plant's unique leaf structure and pale blue flower coloration make it a distinctive element of coastal chaparral ecosystems.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species. Coastal sandy habitat, clustered leaves, and pale blue flowers diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy substrates, coastal chaparral
Elevation: < 275 m
California counties: Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego
Bloom period
Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis blooms Feb-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 cuneatus var. fascicularis native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis bloom?
Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis blooms Feb-May.
Where in California does Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis grow?
Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis occurs in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, at elevations of < 275 m.
What plant family does Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis belong to?
Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis rare or endangered?
Ceanothus cuneatus var. fascicularis carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · 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.