Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus
Deer brush
Photo: parent species Ceanothus integerrimus · (c) velodrome, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Tree · Native
Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus (Deer brush) is a native California tree in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by NONE - geographically isolated; diagnostic by location alone.
Deer brush is a California native tree found in the Santa Cruz Mountains in mixed conifer forest at elevations around 600 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces white flowers in delicate clusters. Growing with multiple stems reaching up to several meters tall, it develops a complex branching structure. Its leaves are thin and elliptical, with a single prominent rib running from the base, typically 3 to 6 centimeters long. The tree creates dense, multi-stemmed thickets characteristic of its chaparral and forest edge habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: NONE - geographically isolated; diagnostic by location alone
Habitat and range
Habitat: Mixed conifer forest
Elevation: +- 600 m.
California counties: Shasta, Siskiyou, Riverside, Los Angeles, Tulare, Humboldt, Santa Cruz
Bloom period
Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus blooms May-Jul.
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 integerrimus var. integerrimus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus bloom?
Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus grow?
Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus occurs in Shasta, Siskiyou, Riverside, Los Angeles, Tulare, Humboldt, Santa Cruz, at elevations of +- 600 m..
What plant family does Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus belong to?
Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
What habitat does Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus grow in?
Ceanothus integerrimus var. integerrimus grows in Mixed conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.