Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus
Mount vision ceanothus, Mount Vision Ceanothus
(c) Alexander Wentworth, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.3
Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus (Mount vision ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by very specific geographic range and low mounded growth form.
Mount vision ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.3) California native shrub found in northern Central Coast regions on Inverness Ridge in coastal bluffs, scrub, and closed-cone pine forest at elevations below 300 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces small white to pale blue flowers in compact clusters. Growing as a low, mound-like shrub less than 0.5 meters tall with spreading and slightly arched branches, it forms a dense, compact shape. Its small leaves are 10 to 21 millimeters long with 9 to 19 distinctive teeth along the margin, creating a finely textured appearance. The shrub's unique growth habit and dense branching make it well-adapted to coastal environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinguished by very specific geographic range and low mounded growth form
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs, scrub, closed-cone pine forest
Elevation: < 300 m
Bloom period
Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus blooms Mar-May.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.3
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 gloriosus var. porrectus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus bloom?
Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus blooms Mar-May.
What plant family does Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus belong to?
Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus rare or endangered?
Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus grow in?
Ceanothus gloriosus var. porrectus grows in Coastal bluffs, scrub, closed-cone pine 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.