Ceanothus ophiochilus
Vail lake ceanothus, Vail Lake Ceanothus
(c) Madeleine Claire, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rhamnaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
Ceanothus ophiochilus (Vail lake ceanothus) is a native California shrub in the Rhamnaceae family, recognized by extremely small narrow leaves and very restricted range diagnostic.
Vail lake ceanothus is a rare (CNPS 1B.1) California native shrub found in northern Peninsular Ranges at Vail Lake and Agua Tibia Mountain in chaparral on rocky slopes with pyroxenite-rich substrate at elevations of 600 to 1,100 meters. Flowering from March to April, this plant produces pale blue to occasional pink flowers in small umbel-like clusters less than 1 centimeter long. Growing as an open, erect shrub less than 2 meters tall with ascending red-brown twigs, it has a compact, distinctive form. Its opposite evergreen leaves are remarkably narrow, measuring 3 to 7 millimeters long and 1 to 3 millimeters wide, with dull green oblanceolate blades and acute to truncate tips. The fruit is small, approximately 3 to 3.5 millimeters wide with minimal horn-like projections.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species; extremely small narrow leaves and very restricted range diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes, ridges of pyroxenite-rich substrate, chaparral
Elevation: 600-1100 m
Bloom period
Ceanothus ophiochilus blooms Mar-Apr.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.1 · Threatened
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 ophiochilus native to California?
Yes. Ceanothus ophiochilus is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Ceanothus ophiochilus bloom?
Ceanothus ophiochilus blooms Mar-Apr.
What plant family does Ceanothus ophiochilus belong to?
Ceanothus ophiochilus is in the Rhamnaceae family, genus Ceanothus.
Is Ceanothus ophiochilus rare or endangered?
Ceanothus ophiochilus carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Ceanothus ophiochilus grow in?
Ceanothus ophiochilus grows in Rocky slopes, ridges of pyroxenite-rich substrate, chaparral.
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.