Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus
Vine hill ceanothus, Vine Hill Ceanothus
(c) John Rusk, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1
Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus (Vine hill ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by . Mat-forming habit and entire to few-toothed leaf margins diagnostic.
Vine hill ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in southern North Coast Ranges in rocky slopes, chaparral, woodland, and mixed-evergreen forest at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to June, this plant produces white to pale blue flowers in compact clusters. Growing as a low, open mat or mound to less than 0.5 meters tall with spreading stems, it forms a distinctive ground-hugging shape. Its leaves are widely elliptic to obovate with wavy margins, glabrous on the undersides except along the veins, and range from entire to having a few subtle teeth. The compact, low-growing form and distinctive leaf shape make this rare ceanothus a unique element of its native habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 32 sympatric species. Mat-forming habit and entire to few-toothed leaf margins diagnostic.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, flats, chaparral, woodland, mixed-evergreen forest
Elevation: < 300 m
Bloom period
Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus blooms Mar-Jun.
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 foliosus var. vineatus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus bloom?
Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus belong to?
Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus rare or endangered?
Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus grow in?
Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus grows in Rocky slopes, flats, chaparral, woodland, mixed-evergreen forest.
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.