Ceanothus hearstiorum
Hearsts' ceanothus, Hearsts' Ceanothus
(c) Stan Shebs, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Ceanothus hearstiorum (Hearsts' ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by very low mat-like growth and distinctive leaf shape/texture.
Hearsts' ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in northwestern San Luis Obispo County along coastal bluffs at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces blue flowers in compact umbel-like clusters 1 to 4 centimeters long. Growing as a dense, mat-like shrub less than 0.3 meters tall with flexible green to brownish twigs, it forms a low, spreading ground cover. Its evergreen leaves are small and leathery, approximately 9 to 17 millimeters long, with dark green upper surfaces covered in glandular bumps and whitish undersides. Its distinctive compact form and glandular leaves make it well-adapted to the harsh coastal bluff environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species; distinguished by very low mat-like growth and distinctive leaf shape/texture
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal bluffs
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: San Luis Obispo, Alameda
Bloom period
Ceanothus hearstiorum 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 hearstiorum native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus hearstiorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus hearstiorum bloom?
Ceanothus hearstiorum blooms Mar-Apr.
Where in California does Ceanothus hearstiorum grow?
Ceanothus hearstiorum occurs in San Luis Obispo, Alameda, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Ceanothus hearstiorum belong to?
Ceanothus hearstiorum is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus hearstiorum rare or endangered?
Ceanothus hearstiorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1S2.
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.