Ceanothus impressus var. impressus

Santa barbara ceanothus

Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2

Santa barbara ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in southern central coastal California, specifically western Santa Barbara County, growing in sandy substrates, flats, and canyons at elevations below 320 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces small clusters of delicate blue to white flowers in compact, dense formations. Growing as an erect, generally dense shrub reaching up to 2 meters tall, it develops stiff, well-branched stems that create a compact overall structure. Its leaves are relatively small, with blade-like surfaces 5 to 14 millimeters long and 3 to 12 millimeters wide, creating a dense, textured foliage pattern. The shrub forms a distinctive, tightly arranged growth habit characteristic of its coastal chaparral environment.

Habitat: Sandy substrates, flats, canyons

Bloom period: Feb-Apr

Elevation: < 320 m

Bioregions: s CCo (w Santa Barbara Co.).

California counties: Los Angeles, Santa Barbara

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.