Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis
Viejas mountain ceanothus
(c) John Rusk, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis (Viejas mountain ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by dense long-curly hair on leaf undersides.
Viejas mountain ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in rocky chaparral habitats on gabbro-derived substrates at elevations of 780 to 1,370 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces small white to light blue flowers in compact clusters. Growing as an erect, open shrub less than 2 meters tall with ascending stems, it develops a distinctive branching structure. Its ovate to elliptic leaves feature densely long, wavy or curly hairs on the underside, creating a uniquely textured appearance with wavy, gland-toothed margins that give the foliage a soft, intricate character.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 43 sympatric species; key feature is dense long-curly hair on leaf undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, gabbro-derived substrates on slopes and flats, chaparral
Elevation: 780-1370 m
Bloom period
Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.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 foliosus var. viejasensis native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis bloom?
Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis belong to?
Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis rare or endangered?
Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis grow in?
Ceanothus foliosus var. viejasensis grows in Rocky, gabbro-derived substrates on slopes and flats, chaparral.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.